Disclaimer: Everything is JKR's.
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews. Just a few notes: Sevvie is 38/39. Hermione's mum is in her early fifties. More Harry and Ginny are in this and the next chapter.
I know I said it would be a week, but I couldn't stop. Have just got chapter 7 to my beta-reader Sunglow999, so that should be up soon.
Chapter 6 - Snake in the dungeons
There was snow on the ground as the Hogwarts Express made its way to its destination. Hermione spent the entire journey reorganising her schedule. Her extra-curricular lessons had eased off, with most of her clients only needing follow-up sessions. She would miss the Astronomy tower, she thought. She must like living dangerously, as she had been pushing it a bit before Christmas. She had waited quite a few times before leaving just before curfew, hoping that Severus would catch her; wanting him to give her a detention. It would have given her an opportunity to practice what she'd learnt from her book.
She was almost certain that there was something between them now. She had caught him staring at her in Potions and at dinner. He hadn't been waiting in the shadows though, and that made her wonder why. Perhaps she could... No, McGonegall would never go for it....
She checked her diary. 5 1/2 down, 4 1/2 to go. Susan and Ron were snuggled together, oblivious to anyone else in the compartment. Ginny was playing chess with Harry, and being Ron's sister was beating him. Hermione watched the interaction between them; Ginny was flirting unobtrusively, occasionally brushing her hand against Harry's knee, and tossing her glorious red hair over her shoulder - Lavender would be proud of her.
Harry shifted each time she touched him and glanced over at Ron, They'd had a great Christmas, but it had been torture for him. Ginny had grown up over the summer, her tiny frame filling out nicely, and he'd caught her quite a few times in her nightclothes; a skimpy tank top with loose shorts that hung on her hipbones, showing off her flat stomach and cute bellybutton. He shifted again and thought of icebergs.. cold showers.. ice-cream... Ginny.. covered in ice-cream.. with whipped cream on top... he groaned as Ginny's knight took his bishop. It was checkmate, and stalemate. How could he go after his best friend's sister? She flicked him a glance under her lashes, noting his glazed expression, and licked her lips. Then she looked over at Ron and rolled her eyes.
"Can they get any closer?" she whispered.
"No need to whisper, Ginny. McGonegall could do a hula down the corridor and Snape a striptease and they'd take no notice." Harry grinned.
Hermione lifted her head from her diary. Snape? Striptease? Her eyes glazed over at the thought of him going the Full Monty for her. Is that a snake in your pocket, or are you just pleased to see me? She whimpered quietly to herself, squeezing her thighs together. That's it. She'd better not read any more of that book until the NEWTS were finished with. She'd concentrate on her animagi lessons with McGonegall.
She knew she was nearly ready, and hopefully this term she would find out what her inner animal was.
The train pulled into Hogsmeade station and the group made their way to the carriages. Hermione hung back.
"I'll meet you there." She grinned, and apparated. She was waiting for them at the entrance gates.
"You got your licence!" Ginny bounced out of the carriage.
"Yeah. Couldn't resist showing off." Hermione grinned.
"You never can, Miss Granger." Severus was waiting at the gates to let them in. Normally Hagrid did this, but he'd come down with a case of Ruritanian Bog Flu, and all the other teachers had been busy. He flicked his eyes over her; it was all he allowed himself.
She was stunning, to him, at least. Gods, he was disgusting, lusting after a student!
He opened the gates and allowed the students to file through. Hermione was jostled as she went by, her shoulder brushed his chest and a curl caught on the clasp of his cloak. He caught her shoulder before it tugged tight, causing her pain. He waited until all the students were in and then shut the gate.
"Stand still, Miss Granger, unless you're a masochist and find pain a turn-on." He hissed
"Yes, Sir." She stood still.
"Yes, you like pain? Or yes, you'll stand still?" he grasped the curl and frowned in concentration.
"Some pain can be.. pleasurable.." her voice was husky and there was a faint tremor there. The hair on the back of his neck stood up. Was she flirting?
"You have experience of pain, Miss Granger? Excruciating, agonising pain?" he bit out, remembering his Dark Mark.
"Not that kind, no. I'm sorry, Professor." She bit her lip. He freed her curl abruptly and stood back.
"You'd better go. Your...friends...will be waiting." Not to mention your numerous admirers he thought bitterly. He wondered what pain she'd meant. First-time pain? He tortured himself with the thought of it. Who had it been? Longbottom or Weasley? Malfoy? Not Potter, surely? He'd caught a glimpse of lace under her blouse as he'd bent over her. He snorted. Virginal white didn't suit her at all. She should be draped in black or green satin... preferably of the sheet variety. He shuddered. He would have to go for a long, cold walk......
Hermione hoped her flushed cheeks would be attributed to the cold. She'd felt the heat radiating off him and it had taken all her willpower not to turn and rub up against him. This was getting ridiculous! How has she going to survive the next six months?
She made her way to Gryffindor tower and tried to concentrate on Harry and Ginny. There was definitely something there, something just below the surface. Something very much like Severus and herself, although she doubted it would be quite so volatile. Severus was fighting himself, she just knew it.
She hoped that once the graduation ceremony was over and she wasn't his student anymore, he would allow the possibility of a relationship to develop. She toyed with the idea that it may only be a one-night-stand. Perhaps one night would be enough to get him out of her system. She snorted. Any minute now a squadron of pigs would do a fly-by.
The next weeks were hectic ones for Hermione. Her lessons with McGonegall were tiring, but the end result would be worth it. One Friday, three weeks after the beginning of term, McGonegall decided she was ready.
Taking a deep breath and concentrating hard, Hermione felt her world go out of focus. The room blurred around her and she felt herself getting smaller and smaller. Willing herself into her animal form, she opened her eyes. She was on McGonegall's carpet. Oh No! She was a flobberworm! She writhed and turned her wedge-shaped head sharply, catching sight of a long line of scales.
"Well, well, Hermione. I had expected something a little different." Professor McGonegall's voice came from somewhere high up. She gently picked her up and Hermione coiled herself around her arm in panic. Her forked tongue flickered out, tasting and smelling the air around her. She looked into her teacher's face.
"This is what comes of sneaking around for the last three months, my dear." She put her on a chair.
"Try to change back and we'll discuss this further."
Hermione concentrated hard again and felt her limbs growing back.
"Why a snake, Professor?"
"As I said, your actions over recent weeks have influenced your inner self. There are secrets you've been keeping, even from those closest to you. These are all snake-like characteristics. But I don't think this is an unwelcome change, is it, hmmn?" she smiled at Hermione over her glasses. "Severus would be very pleased, I imagine."
"Pardon?"
"Don't worry, my dear. Your secret is safe with me...and the headmaster..."
"He knows too?"
"He knows everything. But it's not us you have to worry about. Professor Snape is a stubborn man. You'll need every bit of cunning in that brilliant brain of yours to bring him round."
"Does anyone else suspect?" Hermione was nearly in tears.
"Only the faculty. We only have yours and his best interests at heart. We'd all like to see him happy."
"But will he be happy with just me?"
"Just you? The brightest student since Severus himself? He should be on his knees giving thanks!"
This was surreal, thought Hermione. First her parents, now the teachers. Was the Ministry of Magic in on it too? Was there a big neon sign over her head flashing 'Reserved for Severus Snape'? McGonegall patted her knee, a thought occurring to her.
"Practice when you can, Hermione. You can use this office on Friday nights. You'll soon be able to stay in this form for days. Look at Sirius, I swear that man prefers to be a dog sometimes."
Hermione left her office in a daze, and Minerva smiled. There would be quite a lot to discuss with Albus later.
A snake! Hermione rushed to her rooms and sat on her bed. She cast a do-not-disturb, silencing and locking charm on her bed curtains after shutting them. She had no intention of Lavender or Parvati seeing her in her animal form. She propped a mirror against her pillow and swiftly changed. It was easier this time. She stared at her reflection, her head swaying from side to side. Her scales shimmered beautifully in the candlelight. Even if she did say so herself, she was a very attractive snake. Her senses were more acute as her long tongue flickered out. She wondered if Severus would object to having a snake draped over him. It gave a whole new twist on the snake in the pocket concept....
She practiced at every opportunity and soon found she loved to bask in any patch of sunlight, or next to a fire. Friday nights found her in McGonegalls office, coiled up on the floor by the fireplace. One night, she had just changed in front of her tutor when there was a knock on the door. She quickly slid under a chair.
"You wanted to see me, Minerva?"
"Yes, Severus. Come in, please. Now where did it go...ah, there you are." Minerva spotted Hermione's tail under the chair. She tugged on it and Hermione poked her head out in a panic, looking up at her teacher. Minerva winked at her and picked her up.
Severus gasped, and stepped forward involuntarily.
"Where did you get that?" he breathed. Hermione raised her head and looked at him.
"I'm looking after it for someone. Unfortunately she likes male company and hasn't taken to me." Hermione swung her head around and hissed at Minerva.
"Sounds like someone I know of...." Her acute hearing caught Snape's murmured comment. So that's what he thought about her, did he? She started to sway hypnotically and reached slowly towards him.
He stretched out a hand and let her run her sensitive tongue over his fingers. Holding out his other hand he gently lifted her away from Minerva. Letting her coil around his arm, he crooned softly to her all the time. Minerva almost hugged herself in glee.
"I see you have made a conquest, Severus."
"Well I am head of Slytherin." He said haughtily, stroking Hermione's head who hissed in ecstasy. She could get used to this, she thought, coiling tighter and then sliding up his arm to his shoulder. She draped herself round his neck, burrowing under his long, silky hair, breathing his heady scent. I've died and gone to heaven, she thought.
"Has she been fed?"
"Yes. Bring her back in a couple of hours, will you. Her owner said she likes to sleep on him, so you should be able to carry on with whatever you're doing." Minerva was in danger of letting her tongue run away with her, but it was too good an opportunity to miss.
"This is a damned nuisance, Minerva." Severus thought it would be a good idea to object a little, otherwise his reputation would be shot to pieces. He stroked the snake possessively. He would give his wand arm for such a creature as this.
"I realise that this constitutes a favour, Severus, but I do need to be elsewhere tonight. I wouldn't ask otherwise."
He looked at her and nodded abruptly. "What's her name?"
"Err..Cleopatra." she thought quickly.
"Come then, Cleopatra. I have work to do." And he swept her away, out of Minerva's office towards the dungeons.
Severus sank down into his chair by the fire and carefully unwound the snake from around his neck. He held her up and looked at her in the light. She was gorgeous - Xenopeltis hybrid if he guessed correctly. She had obviously been bred to retain the iridescent scales of the Sunbeam snake, but not the unsociable burrowing habit. Hmm, possibly crossed with a boa about ten generations back. They were extremely intelligent snakes, and he watched as she lowered her head to his wrist almost flirtatiously.
"Prefer men, do you?" he purred at her. She flicked her tongue.
"Sure you're name isn't Hermione? She prefers men too... lots of men.." he sighed.
Hermione tightened herself around his wrist. Lots of men?
"Well. Cleo, you're the first female to grace these rooms, and it looks like you'll be the last. How about I find you a nice cushion near the fire?" he tried to unwind her, but she held on tight.
"Not going to let me go?" Not on you're life, Severus, she thought. "Determined, aren't you?" You bet, Oh God, do that again. Severus stroked her back and she went limp.
"Like that, do you? How about this?" he ran a finger under her throat. She hissed and then slid down his arm and into his lap. She nestled amongst his robes and rested her head on his thigh. She could stay like that forever, listening to his voice and being stroked. He summoned a book from one of the extensive bookshelves.
"Well, if you're comfortable there I'd better not move you. Wouldn't want you to bite anything..sensitive." he chuckled softly and Hermione raised her head. Did he just make a joke?
Two hours later, Severus reluctantly returned to Minerva's office, Cleo wrapped around his arm. He lowered her to the floor and watched as she slid under a chair.
"Was she good?" Minerva peered over her glasses at him.
"A bloody nuisance." He growled.
"Good, good. See you next Friday?"
"Yes." He turned and left.
Hermione slid out and transformed again.
"I can't believe you did that, Professor!"
"What? You want to get to know him, don't you? What better way to observe whether he's right for you?"
"It's a conspiracy!"
"Of course. How else do you think the wizarding community would survive? We live a lot longer than muggles, Hermione, and we need fresh blood injected to avoid inbreeding. And, no, we are not vampires! That's why this pureblood business is nonsense. Severus comes from a long line of purebloods and Slytherins. He needs a good dose of muggle and Gryffindor medicine."
"You make me sound like an antibiotic"
Minerva laughed. "I'll see you here next Friday. I think you've earned and A+ in transfiguration this year. Use our lessons to catch up with the rest of your classes."
Hermione left her office and slowly made her way back to her room. It had been a very interesting evening, and an erotic one too. He tasted just like he smelled; of herbs and musk. And she would get to repeat the experience every Friday!
TBC
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews. Just a few notes: Sevvie is 38/39. Hermione's mum is in her early fifties. More Harry and Ginny are in this and the next chapter.
I know I said it would be a week, but I couldn't stop. Have just got chapter 7 to my beta-reader Sunglow999, so that should be up soon.
Chapter 6 - Snake in the dungeons
There was snow on the ground as the Hogwarts Express made its way to its destination. Hermione spent the entire journey reorganising her schedule. Her extra-curricular lessons had eased off, with most of her clients only needing follow-up sessions. She would miss the Astronomy tower, she thought. She must like living dangerously, as she had been pushing it a bit before Christmas. She had waited quite a few times before leaving just before curfew, hoping that Severus would catch her; wanting him to give her a detention. It would have given her an opportunity to practice what she'd learnt from her book.
She was almost certain that there was something between them now. She had caught him staring at her in Potions and at dinner. He hadn't been waiting in the shadows though, and that made her wonder why. Perhaps she could... No, McGonegall would never go for it....
She checked her diary. 5 1/2 down, 4 1/2 to go. Susan and Ron were snuggled together, oblivious to anyone else in the compartment. Ginny was playing chess with Harry, and being Ron's sister was beating him. Hermione watched the interaction between them; Ginny was flirting unobtrusively, occasionally brushing her hand against Harry's knee, and tossing her glorious red hair over her shoulder - Lavender would be proud of her.
Harry shifted each time she touched him and glanced over at Ron, They'd had a great Christmas, but it had been torture for him. Ginny had grown up over the summer, her tiny frame filling out nicely, and he'd caught her quite a few times in her nightclothes; a skimpy tank top with loose shorts that hung on her hipbones, showing off her flat stomach and cute bellybutton. He shifted again and thought of icebergs.. cold showers.. ice-cream... Ginny.. covered in ice-cream.. with whipped cream on top... he groaned as Ginny's knight took his bishop. It was checkmate, and stalemate. How could he go after his best friend's sister? She flicked him a glance under her lashes, noting his glazed expression, and licked her lips. Then she looked over at Ron and rolled her eyes.
"Can they get any closer?" she whispered.
"No need to whisper, Ginny. McGonegall could do a hula down the corridor and Snape a striptease and they'd take no notice." Harry grinned.
Hermione lifted her head from her diary. Snape? Striptease? Her eyes glazed over at the thought of him going the Full Monty for her. Is that a snake in your pocket, or are you just pleased to see me? She whimpered quietly to herself, squeezing her thighs together. That's it. She'd better not read any more of that book until the NEWTS were finished with. She'd concentrate on her animagi lessons with McGonegall.
She knew she was nearly ready, and hopefully this term she would find out what her inner animal was.
The train pulled into Hogsmeade station and the group made their way to the carriages. Hermione hung back.
"I'll meet you there." She grinned, and apparated. She was waiting for them at the entrance gates.
"You got your licence!" Ginny bounced out of the carriage.
"Yeah. Couldn't resist showing off." Hermione grinned.
"You never can, Miss Granger." Severus was waiting at the gates to let them in. Normally Hagrid did this, but he'd come down with a case of Ruritanian Bog Flu, and all the other teachers had been busy. He flicked his eyes over her; it was all he allowed himself.
She was stunning, to him, at least. Gods, he was disgusting, lusting after a student!
He opened the gates and allowed the students to file through. Hermione was jostled as she went by, her shoulder brushed his chest and a curl caught on the clasp of his cloak. He caught her shoulder before it tugged tight, causing her pain. He waited until all the students were in and then shut the gate.
"Stand still, Miss Granger, unless you're a masochist and find pain a turn-on." He hissed
"Yes, Sir." She stood still.
"Yes, you like pain? Or yes, you'll stand still?" he grasped the curl and frowned in concentration.
"Some pain can be.. pleasurable.." her voice was husky and there was a faint tremor there. The hair on the back of his neck stood up. Was she flirting?
"You have experience of pain, Miss Granger? Excruciating, agonising pain?" he bit out, remembering his Dark Mark.
"Not that kind, no. I'm sorry, Professor." She bit her lip. He freed her curl abruptly and stood back.
"You'd better go. Your...friends...will be waiting." Not to mention your numerous admirers he thought bitterly. He wondered what pain she'd meant. First-time pain? He tortured himself with the thought of it. Who had it been? Longbottom or Weasley? Malfoy? Not Potter, surely? He'd caught a glimpse of lace under her blouse as he'd bent over her. He snorted. Virginal white didn't suit her at all. She should be draped in black or green satin... preferably of the sheet variety. He shuddered. He would have to go for a long, cold walk......
Hermione hoped her flushed cheeks would be attributed to the cold. She'd felt the heat radiating off him and it had taken all her willpower not to turn and rub up against him. This was getting ridiculous! How has she going to survive the next six months?
She made her way to Gryffindor tower and tried to concentrate on Harry and Ginny. There was definitely something there, something just below the surface. Something very much like Severus and herself, although she doubted it would be quite so volatile. Severus was fighting himself, she just knew it.
She hoped that once the graduation ceremony was over and she wasn't his student anymore, he would allow the possibility of a relationship to develop. She toyed with the idea that it may only be a one-night-stand. Perhaps one night would be enough to get him out of her system. She snorted. Any minute now a squadron of pigs would do a fly-by.
The next weeks were hectic ones for Hermione. Her lessons with McGonegall were tiring, but the end result would be worth it. One Friday, three weeks after the beginning of term, McGonegall decided she was ready.
Taking a deep breath and concentrating hard, Hermione felt her world go out of focus. The room blurred around her and she felt herself getting smaller and smaller. Willing herself into her animal form, she opened her eyes. She was on McGonegall's carpet. Oh No! She was a flobberworm! She writhed and turned her wedge-shaped head sharply, catching sight of a long line of scales.
"Well, well, Hermione. I had expected something a little different." Professor McGonegall's voice came from somewhere high up. She gently picked her up and Hermione coiled herself around her arm in panic. Her forked tongue flickered out, tasting and smelling the air around her. She looked into her teacher's face.
"This is what comes of sneaking around for the last three months, my dear." She put her on a chair.
"Try to change back and we'll discuss this further."
Hermione concentrated hard again and felt her limbs growing back.
"Why a snake, Professor?"
"As I said, your actions over recent weeks have influenced your inner self. There are secrets you've been keeping, even from those closest to you. These are all snake-like characteristics. But I don't think this is an unwelcome change, is it, hmmn?" she smiled at Hermione over her glasses. "Severus would be very pleased, I imagine."
"Pardon?"
"Don't worry, my dear. Your secret is safe with me...and the headmaster..."
"He knows too?"
"He knows everything. But it's not us you have to worry about. Professor Snape is a stubborn man. You'll need every bit of cunning in that brilliant brain of yours to bring him round."
"Does anyone else suspect?" Hermione was nearly in tears.
"Only the faculty. We only have yours and his best interests at heart. We'd all like to see him happy."
"But will he be happy with just me?"
"Just you? The brightest student since Severus himself? He should be on his knees giving thanks!"
This was surreal, thought Hermione. First her parents, now the teachers. Was the Ministry of Magic in on it too? Was there a big neon sign over her head flashing 'Reserved for Severus Snape'? McGonegall patted her knee, a thought occurring to her.
"Practice when you can, Hermione. You can use this office on Friday nights. You'll soon be able to stay in this form for days. Look at Sirius, I swear that man prefers to be a dog sometimes."
Hermione left her office in a daze, and Minerva smiled. There would be quite a lot to discuss with Albus later.
A snake! Hermione rushed to her rooms and sat on her bed. She cast a do-not-disturb, silencing and locking charm on her bed curtains after shutting them. She had no intention of Lavender or Parvati seeing her in her animal form. She propped a mirror against her pillow and swiftly changed. It was easier this time. She stared at her reflection, her head swaying from side to side. Her scales shimmered beautifully in the candlelight. Even if she did say so herself, she was a very attractive snake. Her senses were more acute as her long tongue flickered out. She wondered if Severus would object to having a snake draped over him. It gave a whole new twist on the snake in the pocket concept....
She practiced at every opportunity and soon found she loved to bask in any patch of sunlight, or next to a fire. Friday nights found her in McGonegalls office, coiled up on the floor by the fireplace. One night, she had just changed in front of her tutor when there was a knock on the door. She quickly slid under a chair.
"You wanted to see me, Minerva?"
"Yes, Severus. Come in, please. Now where did it go...ah, there you are." Minerva spotted Hermione's tail under the chair. She tugged on it and Hermione poked her head out in a panic, looking up at her teacher. Minerva winked at her and picked her up.
Severus gasped, and stepped forward involuntarily.
"Where did you get that?" he breathed. Hermione raised her head and looked at him.
"I'm looking after it for someone. Unfortunately she likes male company and hasn't taken to me." Hermione swung her head around and hissed at Minerva.
"Sounds like someone I know of...." Her acute hearing caught Snape's murmured comment. So that's what he thought about her, did he? She started to sway hypnotically and reached slowly towards him.
He stretched out a hand and let her run her sensitive tongue over his fingers. Holding out his other hand he gently lifted her away from Minerva. Letting her coil around his arm, he crooned softly to her all the time. Minerva almost hugged herself in glee.
"I see you have made a conquest, Severus."
"Well I am head of Slytherin." He said haughtily, stroking Hermione's head who hissed in ecstasy. She could get used to this, she thought, coiling tighter and then sliding up his arm to his shoulder. She draped herself round his neck, burrowing under his long, silky hair, breathing his heady scent. I've died and gone to heaven, she thought.
"Has she been fed?"
"Yes. Bring her back in a couple of hours, will you. Her owner said she likes to sleep on him, so you should be able to carry on with whatever you're doing." Minerva was in danger of letting her tongue run away with her, but it was too good an opportunity to miss.
"This is a damned nuisance, Minerva." Severus thought it would be a good idea to object a little, otherwise his reputation would be shot to pieces. He stroked the snake possessively. He would give his wand arm for such a creature as this.
"I realise that this constitutes a favour, Severus, but I do need to be elsewhere tonight. I wouldn't ask otherwise."
He looked at her and nodded abruptly. "What's her name?"
"Err..Cleopatra." she thought quickly.
"Come then, Cleopatra. I have work to do." And he swept her away, out of Minerva's office towards the dungeons.
Severus sank down into his chair by the fire and carefully unwound the snake from around his neck. He held her up and looked at her in the light. She was gorgeous - Xenopeltis hybrid if he guessed correctly. She had obviously been bred to retain the iridescent scales of the Sunbeam snake, but not the unsociable burrowing habit. Hmm, possibly crossed with a boa about ten generations back. They were extremely intelligent snakes, and he watched as she lowered her head to his wrist almost flirtatiously.
"Prefer men, do you?" he purred at her. She flicked her tongue.
"Sure you're name isn't Hermione? She prefers men too... lots of men.." he sighed.
Hermione tightened herself around his wrist. Lots of men?
"Well. Cleo, you're the first female to grace these rooms, and it looks like you'll be the last. How about I find you a nice cushion near the fire?" he tried to unwind her, but she held on tight.
"Not going to let me go?" Not on you're life, Severus, she thought. "Determined, aren't you?" You bet, Oh God, do that again. Severus stroked her back and she went limp.
"Like that, do you? How about this?" he ran a finger under her throat. She hissed and then slid down his arm and into his lap. She nestled amongst his robes and rested her head on his thigh. She could stay like that forever, listening to his voice and being stroked. He summoned a book from one of the extensive bookshelves.
"Well, if you're comfortable there I'd better not move you. Wouldn't want you to bite anything..sensitive." he chuckled softly and Hermione raised her head. Did he just make a joke?
Two hours later, Severus reluctantly returned to Minerva's office, Cleo wrapped around his arm. He lowered her to the floor and watched as she slid under a chair.
"Was she good?" Minerva peered over her glasses at him.
"A bloody nuisance." He growled.
"Good, good. See you next Friday?"
"Yes." He turned and left.
Hermione slid out and transformed again.
"I can't believe you did that, Professor!"
"What? You want to get to know him, don't you? What better way to observe whether he's right for you?"
"It's a conspiracy!"
"Of course. How else do you think the wizarding community would survive? We live a lot longer than muggles, Hermione, and we need fresh blood injected to avoid inbreeding. And, no, we are not vampires! That's why this pureblood business is nonsense. Severus comes from a long line of purebloods and Slytherins. He needs a good dose of muggle and Gryffindor medicine."
"You make me sound like an antibiotic"
Minerva laughed. "I'll see you here next Friday. I think you've earned and A+ in transfiguration this year. Use our lessons to catch up with the rest of your classes."
Hermione left her office and slowly made her way back to her room. It had been a very interesting evening, and an erotic one too. He tasted just like he smelled; of herbs and musk. And she would get to repeat the experience every Friday!
TBC