Impraesentiarum
Chapter 13
By Aurora
"Ah, yes, I do believe you know Madame Vespasia. Do sit down and have some tea with us." Albus twinkled at the
utterly flabbergasted Minister of Magic before doing exactly what was asked of him.
"She was good enough to warn me to expect you."
"Yes, I do believe I owe you an apology for getting Isabel all stirred up. I needed more information on what
was going on and asked her for it when I should have asked Albus directly. I'm dreadfully sorry about it. Do you think
we should ask her to join us too so as to spare you the trouble of having to repeat it to her later?" Madame
Vespasia inquired.
Fudge looked so out of sorts she almost felt sorry for him.
"That depends on exactly what the hell is going on with Snape and that Granger girl. If it is just tidbits of
scandal Isabel can have a wonderful time with it and I can have him sacked..." The minister glared at the headmaster.
"I've already told Madame Vespasia what she needs to know. She is now aware of their roles in our conflict
with the Death Eaters and can be trusted to assist them in any way necessary. I do believe I should explain more of
it to you as well, but this is the earliest I've been able to speak to you face to face." Dumbledore nodded to Vespasia
before continuing.
"I'm afraid there is very little that we can do and no you can't sack Severus. You have to have a full quorum
vote of the schools governors with a full two thirds majority to fire a professor and a clear violation of the rules or laws.
I know you don't care for the man, but he is an able teacher and he has yet to cross the line even if he does occasionally
dance near it."
"Regardless, she is a minor and one of his students. It is highly unethical for him to carry on an affair with
one of his charges. That bloody wench can't keep her nose out of trouble and now he can't be trusted to do anything
about it." Fudge growled out at the headmaster.
"She is nearly twenty thanks to her liberal use of a time turner, so she is not actually a minor any more. As for
her being a student, I'm sure we could work something out so that he isn't actually grading her work." the headmaster
sighed.
"I could do it myself, or we could just as easily let her take a university level potions course in it's place,
she is certainly capable of the work."
"I think that would be most acceptable. I'm certain there are several university professors who would love to teach
her even if it is by correspondence mostly. She could travel there by port key or through the floo network. We could
do something similar with her instructions on how to fit into wizarding high society. I'm sure I could teach her a fair
bit that Snape wouldn't even understand himself." Vespasia thought aloud.
Fudge opened his mouth as to speak but Vespasia began again.
"Do you think she is up to taking her potions NEWTs early so that we can arrange this?"
"If she isn't I'd be astounded. If you are willing to play finishing school for Ms. Granger than may I suggest that
Mr. Potter could use similar instruction?" Dumbledore asked mildly.
Fudge looked from Dumbledore to Vespasia and wondered when the conversation became two sided. He was always being left
out of things.
"Wait a minute you two, why are you letting them get away with this?" Fudge asked having recollected himself at last
through a few healthy draughts of tea.
Madame Vespasia smiled at the minister and gently said "Because there really isn't another choice. Apparently Ms. Granger
had a run in with some Death Eaters recently, through some quick thinking Severus Snape probably saved more than just her
life by making it appear that he had been having a relationship with the girl for a while now and had successfully kept it
quiet. By claiming her to be "his" he got the rest of them to back off an leave her completely unharmed." She spoke
sternly.
"The consequence of which is that they now have to appear to have a very quietly existing romance going on. Certain
members of high society now believe them to be engaged and so they have to act it or they will be in serious trouble."
When Dumbledore looked the minister in the eye, there were no twinkles of amusement as he explained the situation in those
simple words.
"We have to assist them as best we can. In essence, we have two spies now instead of one. I, for one, and Severus, for
another, highly dislike placing the young woman in such grave danger. Severus stuck his neck out for her to keep her from
harm and he will continue to do so until he can ensure her safety."
"Surely there is a way to get the girl out of this?" The minister insisted.
"None that we could find Mr. Fudge." Madame Vespasia sighed.
"From what the headmaster here tells me that girl is fairly shrewd and actually stands more than half a chance
of being just as successful as Snape at this if she can learn the ropes quick enough."
"Damn!" The minister spat before remembering where he was. "Forgive me, this is not going to go over well."
"It will be a scandal and a half, indeed." Madame Vespasia agreed.
"It will blow over quicker if we can get her adjusted and integrated rapidly."
"All right, all right, but you get to explain this to Isabel. She hates the man even more than I do." Fudge grumbled.
"Since I brought it to her attention in the first place, I will endeavor to make up for it by helping her see things my way."
Madame Vespasia agreed.
Fudge sat back in his ridiculous patchwork seat and tried to collect himself for a few minutes before composing himself
again and seeing himself out of the wizard's office. It would be some considerable time later that he would realize that
Vespasia had actually acted like she had more than half a brain and with considerably more wit than he had previously given
her credit for.
With the minister out of the room the headmaster sat back and gazed at the witch. He had known for some time that Vespasia
was actually fairly shrewd and a very able businesswoman. As a society matron, Vespasia could be trusted to know all the
mistakes and the rules of the game for Hermione to learn.
"How serious are you about helping train Ms. Granger?"
"Very. The girl is a muggleborn, she is going to need all the help she can get. She must be a credit to Griffyndor
house to be going through with this and be so comfortable in Snape's presence." The seamstress sighed.
"I think I could design a number of interesting confections with her in mind too. The girl is quite pretty."
"I'll see when I can arrange for her to meet with you then. I don't want to interrupt your work, but you are correct about
the scandal blowing over quicker if she integrates faster than expected. It would also be much safer for her. " Sipping
his tea the headmaster continued,
"As for Severus, I think she has his measure now. They have gotten along, more or less, for some time. Now, he is going
out of his way to make her more comfortable around him. I'm fairly sure he doesn't even realize he is doing it."
"Now that is a surprise. Severus Snape has a reputation for a Devil and doesn't care about what others think of him.
I'm really quite jealous that he has the means to get away with it." The lady murmured just loud enough for the wizard to
hear.
"You aren't the only one. If not for the teacher/student problem, they do actually make a good match. I half want to
encourage it for their sakes seeing as how neither one has ever been able to find suitable companionship. Ms. Granger
has the difficulty of being a muggleborn witch with a truly daunting work ethic and intimidating intelligence for those who
are insecure in themselves. Left on her own, I suspect she would have just as much difficulty as Severus has had finding a
suitable mate."
"You might be right Albus, I'll do what I can. Just let me know when you get Ms. Granger to agree to the lessons.
Mr. Potter can learn at a much more sedate pace. Does Mr. Potter know about the situation with Professor Snape?"
"No, he doesn't. He will be informed when we think he is ready to handle the news. He is aware of Severus' role, but
there is still little liking between the two. I'm afraid both he and Mr. Weasley would take the news rather hard,
especially if she does decide to do more than just play a part."**
Vespasia could only imagine what those boys would say.
Back in the little nook of the woods, Hermione Granger was wishing she had a camera. The vision of Severus Snape,
wearing nothing but his skivvies and a hat with a tassel was enough to make her laugh. And laugh she did while taking off
her outer robe.
He looked at her with a glint in his eye.
"Now my dear, I believe to make this scene correct, you have to be in your Birthday Suit."
She bit her lower lip, still fighting remaining giggles.
"No." she said quietly, fighting the grin she felt coming.
"No?" he asked, his voice lined with a little worry, before seeing the grin plastered on her face.
"You can't make me." She said defiantly before running off towards the waterfall.
He chuckled before running after her.
Hermione made her way into the cave behind the waterfall of the lagoon-like place. At the sight of her potions master
running in silk boxers she began to laugh.
When he had caught up he began to eye her.
"Are you teasing me Hermione?"
She bit her lip again.
"Of course not S e v e r u s…"she spoke, drawing out the syllables of his name.
He seemed to shiver involuntarily at that.
She then sat with her feet in the water, facing the waterfall.
"I just wanted to sit by the water-" The last of her sentence was covered up by a splash of water and a soft gurgling.
Snape had pushed her in.
When she surfaced, sputtering away she looked at him angrily.
"Why you little.."
He was laughing.
*So he wants to play huh?*
She immediately softened her expression.
"Ok Severus. You win. Just help me out will you?" she stuck her hand out of the water for him to grab on to.
Still stuck in his laughter, he didn't see the possible outcomes of that situation.
As soon as he latched on to her hand he was in the water right along with her.
This time it was he who was sputtering.
She was laughing uncontrollably now. He laughed too before moving to dunk her. They played back and forth like that
for a few minutes before Hermione suddenly stopped. She looked down at herself and realized her slip was soaked through
and hid nothing. Snape seemed to notice then as well. She moved closer to him, wrapping her arms around his neck while he
pushed the hair out of her face.
"This has been the most fun day of my life Severus." She spoke softly, looking into his eyes.
He couldn't seem to find his voice, his throat suddenly dry. He could only nod.
She pulled back a little from his embrace and did a shimmying movement. She reached into the water for a moment and
Snape watched, mesmerized, as she threw her underwear to the shore.
"Would you help me with this?" she spoke seductively as she grabbed the hems of her soaked-thru slip. As she pulled it,
he slid his hands up her sides in its wake, taking it from her and throwing it to the shore as well.
She stood there before him up to her chest in water, looking perfect. They both said a prayer to whatever Gods were
listening before crashing together in a mix of mouths and tongues.
He promised himself her first time would be memorable. This was definitely a start.
Authors Notes: ** Above this was written by Telosphilos with a few changes from me. After this point is done by me.
Who's next???