"Have a nice evening, Hermione?" Ursula Snape asked as Hermione walked in the door.
"Mummy!" Charlotte raced over to Hermione, and wrapped her arms around her mother's legs.
Hermione took a deep breath, and forced a smile. The events in Snape's office had sobered her up completely.
"Hey Sweetie. Thank you so much for staying, Ursula. You really are wonderful," Hermione genuinely thanked the woman.
"Not a problem. You deserve a few hours off. Lord knows, you have plenty on your plate." Ursula's eyes drifted to the wedding photo of Hermione and Justin hanging on the wall.
"Yeah," Hermione sighed. Charlotte let go of her mother and wandered back into the lounge where she had been drawing pictures.
"Why Hermione? Why do you stay with him?" Ursula asked, watching Hermione closely.
Hermione shifted uncomfortably, and then replied quietly "I wonder that myself."
Severus Snape was in an incredibly foul mood, even for him. He felt utterly humiliated after Hermione's hurried departure from his office, and Snape was not one to deal well with rejection. Angrily he treaded the dark hallways, removing points from every single student who was unlucky enough to cross his path. He passed by a classroom door, making it several more steps before realising the door was cracked open slightly. He backtracked, and slowly pushed the door open, thinking about the number of points he could remove from whomever had broken in to the room. Snape stepped into the classroom, and after a quick survey of the room, he turned disappointedly to walk out. That was when he heard a rustle from behind the office door at the front of the room. A smirk crept over his face. He stalked up the walkway between the desks and with a great flourish he whipped the door open. There on the desk were a couple, so entwined in the throws of passion they didn't even notice Snape standing in the doorway. Snape's smile spread – this was worth double digits in the points deduction stakes. He was a tad disappointed to see the clothes the girl was still wearing were adorned with the green and silver of Slytherin, though that wasn't totally unexpected. The boy was not wearing a uniform, and Snape secretly hoped that he'd be able to take some points from Gryffindor after all. He wasn't fussy though, Ravenclaw would do.
"Well, well, well – what have we here?" Snape drawled, having seen plenty enough for the well-being of his own health.
The couple panicked, and the girl ended up falling from the desk landing hard on her rear end on the floor. Snape glared at the girl. "Miss Richards, what a surprise," Snape spoke, the sarcasm dripping from his words. "That'll be twenty points. And what pathetic creature are you fucking tonight?" Snape's gaze moved and it was his turn to be shocked. Justin Finch-Fletchley sat atop the desk, his pants still undone, his pride and joy hanging out for all the world to see.
"Well, well, well. Mr Finch-Feltchley," Snape's grinned maliciously. "Fancy seeing you here."
"Profes..ss..or…Sss…nnn.ape," Justin stuttered, his mouth agape.
"Well, done! You remembered my name! Now, Hermione Granger, that ring any bells?" Snape growled, pulling his wand from his robes.
Justin nodded his head solemnly, visibly shaking in fear.
"Care to tell Miss Richards who Hermione Granger is?"
Justin looked from Snape to the girl and back again. "Uh, she's my wife," Justin finally muttered at the floor.
Snape watched the girl's reaction. She merely shrugged her shoulders. Bloody Slytherins, Snape thought angrily. "That's another twenty points, Miss Richards!"
Snape returned his attention to Justin. "Care to explain to me, you stupid little boy, what you are doing in here with Miss Richards if you are married?"
Justin stared at the floor.
"Repello!"
Justin's body was thrown violently across the small office, smacking into the far stone wall.
"I believe I asked you a question!" Snape bellowed, pointing his wand accusingly at Justin. Snape's dark eyes were burning in fury.
"Professor, Justin…." The girl spoke up, her voice quavering a little.
"Get out, Miss Richards!" Snape's attention stayed focused on Justin.
"But…"
"I SAID GET OUT!"
Snape heard the girl quickly gather her belongings and scamper from the room.
"Now, Justin," Snape paused, his eyes narrowing to tiny black slits. "I suggest you come up with a bloody good reason for why I have caught you screwing one of my students! And be quick about it, my wand is itching to do some nasty things."
"I didn't mean to, Sir," Justin whimpered from where he was still pinned to the wall. "Please…"
"Didn't mean to?! Didn't bloody mean too?!! You know what your actions have done?! If Dumbledore hears about this he will have no choice but to remove you from Hogwarts, Hermione and your little girl too!"
Justin's mouthed twitched a little.
"Have something to say about that, do you?" Snape poked Justin hard in the chest with the tip of his wand.
"I didn't want to come back here anyway." Justin's attempt at defiance came out as little more than a peep.
"I dare say I wouldn't have missed you," Snape sneered. His mind returned to the current situation. "Fucking little girls, Justin, is a very, very serious offence. I suggest your wife wouldn't be particularly pleased either."
"Fuck what Hermione thinks," Justin snapped back. "And she was 16 – she's legal."
"Ah, perhaps in the eyes of the law, but I have a very different view of what is right." Snape's wand moved down Justin's body until it was pointed to where he was hanging out of his pants. "And I would think my opinion would be of great interest to you right now, Mr Finch-Fletchley."
Justin whimpered. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" he begged, trying to cover himself, but his arms remained pinned against the wall.
"Bit late for that, I should think." Snape flicked his wand, and roared "EFFLUO!"
Justin's flaccid penis shrunk, shrivelling up until it was no longer visible.
Snape then allowed Justin to slide down the wall and land unceremoniously at his feet. Justin, unable to move by the share shock of the whole ordeal, stared unblinking up at Snape.
"You will tell Miss Granger precisely what you were doing tonight when I found you, Justin. If you don't, you will find out exactly what I am capable of." Snape rolled up one sleeve, and thrust the dark mark at the boy's face. Justin's eyes widened in fear. "And trust me, that is not something you wish to discover!"
Hermione wrapped up the final class the next day, and headed back to her rooms. When she arrived, there was no sign of either Ursula or Charlotte. Feeling a little panicked, Hermione found Justin sitting in his usual place – the sofa. Justin had been oddly quiet since the last evening, and had even managed to magick the dishes clean. Hermione had an uneasy feeling about his new cooperation, but more pressing issues were at hand.
"Where's Charlotte?" Hermione demanded.
Justin quickly replied, "Not sure. Ursula muttered something – left a note by the door."
Giving Justin an odd look, Hermione turned and grasped the parchment sitting on the entrance table.
Hermione,
I've had to go and sort out some of my sister's personal affairs. I have left Charlotte with Severus – now, don't you worry dear, he is more than capable of taking care of children.
So sorry,
Ursula.
Snape?! She'd left her daughter with Snape?!
"Bloody Merlin!" Hermione dashed out the door, slamming it behind her. As she raced down the halls Hermione was so consumed by the thought that Snape was taking care of her daughter, she'd forgotten all about the incident in Snape's office the previous evening. Hermione threw the door open to Snape's chambers and stopped dead in her tracks. On a large velvet rug in the middle of the floor sat Charlotte, dressed up as a princess. Opposite her was Severus Snape, sitting cross-legged, a pink teacup in one hand, a gaudy plastic tiara perched upon his greasy head. Several dolls surrounded the pair of them. Hermione couldn't help but smirk.
"Mummy! We're having a tea party!" Charlotte announced excitedly. "I'm Princess Charlotte and this is Princess Severus."
Hermione snorted in her attempt to hold back the laughter.
"Want to join us?" Charlotte asked innocently. The little girl still sounded blocked up with her cold.
"No, I think it's time you came home, Char," Hermione replied. She suddenly felt very awkward about being in the same room as Snape after last night.
"Actually, Miss Granger," Snape placed the teacup back in its saucer as he spoke. "I wouldn't mind a word with you."
Hermione shuddered inwardly, having dreaded this moment all day. With a reluctant nod she agreed.
Leaving Charlotte to play in the lounge Hermione followed Snape into his study. She glanced around the room noting the shelves overflowing with books, some of which she longed to read.
"Look, Severus, about last night," Hermione finally mustered up the courage to speak. "I'm sorry. It was completely inappropriate, and though it's not an excuse, I was a little tipsy."
Hermione's met his gaze, but her eyes drifted to the crown still sitting on his head. Snape quickly yanked it off and tossed it on his desk.
"Actually, Hermione, though I apologize sincerely for my…indiscretions last night, that is not what I wished to speak to you about."
Hermione felt like a part of her had been torn out. Snape hadn't meant to kiss her last night. It had all been an accident. She had been apologizing for her attitude at the Three Broomsticks. Well, that's just great, Hermione thought. The story of my life.
"Has Justin spoken with you?" Snape's words were spoken carefully.
Hermione gave the wizard a confused look. "About what?"
"I'll take that as a negative." Snape paused, shifting nervously from foot to foot. "I…discovered Justin and one of my students in a rather compromising situation." There, it was out.
"Excuse me?" Hermione's hands were now planted firmly on her hips, her eyes glaring at her old Potions Professor. "What sort of a compromising situation?"
"Bethany Richards and Justin were…uh… having sex… in the office off the Charms Classroom," Snape answered, watching Hermione closely for her reaction.
She was quiet for a moment, then "Yeah, right, Professor. I don't know what sort of silly game you're playing at here, but I think I've had quite enough of this nonsense!" Hermione turned to leave.
"It's true, Hermione."
Hermione spun around and gave Snape a glare to rival the best of his own. "Look, just because you embarrassed yourself last night there is no need to go making up stories about my husband!! You think I want anything to do with you?! You think I'm not embarrassed that I lost my godforsaken mind and fucking kissed the greasy haired, Sadistic, Bastard Head of Slytherin?!"
Snape was utterly insulted. He'd done the decent thing, and here she was screaming obscenities at him.
"Listen to yourself! You're the one parading around like little Miss Perfect! I'll have you know, Miss Granger, that the shambles your life is in is hardly a secret! They're all having a good laugh about it in the staff room!"
"Fuck you!"
"Well, that was intelligent!" Snape sneered. "And I'll have you know you lost your tiny wee mind long before last night – sometime during your seventh year here I believe!"
"Don't you dare talk to me about my actions, Professor, you were the one who took advantage of me last night while I was drunk!"
Snape's eyes narrowed, yet he remained silent.
Hermione stormed out, retrieving Charlotte on her way.
AN: Thank you to:
Red Queen 1 – Justin is on his way out! Kill snape? NEVER!
Anarane Anwamane – thanks :)
Stolen-Simplicitiy – Ah, decided Sev needed to have his own way with Justin in private. Hope you approve.
Rachel – Don't worry, you didn't sound like a first grader, just bubbly and happy! Thanks so much for your review.
Deb – Thank you! Yay! And Herm will of course end up with our darling potions master :)
Evil Crazy Willow – Thank you! (Love your name by the way!)
Jennifer13 – Justin is going! PROMISE! One more chapter, I think, and then he's outta there!
KdarkMaiden – Ten times better? Yay me! Thank you!
Lisa aka Lord Snapes Lady – Cheers for your review. Sevvys in Leeds? What do they sell? One hopes packaged Snapes, ready to go, but I have a feeling I'm going to be sorely disappointed ;)
Sammie Tonks – Thanks!
Minerva 7 – I really hope your feeling better. Thanks for your review too!
Meilan Firaga – Well, Snape hexed something! Cheers!
Karen Detroit – absolutely no plans on stopping any time soon! Next chapter in a day or two!
"Mummy!" Charlotte raced over to Hermione, and wrapped her arms around her mother's legs.
Hermione took a deep breath, and forced a smile. The events in Snape's office had sobered her up completely.
"Hey Sweetie. Thank you so much for staying, Ursula. You really are wonderful," Hermione genuinely thanked the woman.
"Not a problem. You deserve a few hours off. Lord knows, you have plenty on your plate." Ursula's eyes drifted to the wedding photo of Hermione and Justin hanging on the wall.
"Yeah," Hermione sighed. Charlotte let go of her mother and wandered back into the lounge where she had been drawing pictures.
"Why Hermione? Why do you stay with him?" Ursula asked, watching Hermione closely.
Hermione shifted uncomfortably, and then replied quietly "I wonder that myself."
Severus Snape was in an incredibly foul mood, even for him. He felt utterly humiliated after Hermione's hurried departure from his office, and Snape was not one to deal well with rejection. Angrily he treaded the dark hallways, removing points from every single student who was unlucky enough to cross his path. He passed by a classroom door, making it several more steps before realising the door was cracked open slightly. He backtracked, and slowly pushed the door open, thinking about the number of points he could remove from whomever had broken in to the room. Snape stepped into the classroom, and after a quick survey of the room, he turned disappointedly to walk out. That was when he heard a rustle from behind the office door at the front of the room. A smirk crept over his face. He stalked up the walkway between the desks and with a great flourish he whipped the door open. There on the desk were a couple, so entwined in the throws of passion they didn't even notice Snape standing in the doorway. Snape's smile spread – this was worth double digits in the points deduction stakes. He was a tad disappointed to see the clothes the girl was still wearing were adorned with the green and silver of Slytherin, though that wasn't totally unexpected. The boy was not wearing a uniform, and Snape secretly hoped that he'd be able to take some points from Gryffindor after all. He wasn't fussy though, Ravenclaw would do.
"Well, well, well – what have we here?" Snape drawled, having seen plenty enough for the well-being of his own health.
The couple panicked, and the girl ended up falling from the desk landing hard on her rear end on the floor. Snape glared at the girl. "Miss Richards, what a surprise," Snape spoke, the sarcasm dripping from his words. "That'll be twenty points. And what pathetic creature are you fucking tonight?" Snape's gaze moved and it was his turn to be shocked. Justin Finch-Fletchley sat atop the desk, his pants still undone, his pride and joy hanging out for all the world to see.
"Well, well, well. Mr Finch-Feltchley," Snape's grinned maliciously. "Fancy seeing you here."
"Profes..ss..or…Sss…nnn.ape," Justin stuttered, his mouth agape.
"Well, done! You remembered my name! Now, Hermione Granger, that ring any bells?" Snape growled, pulling his wand from his robes.
Justin nodded his head solemnly, visibly shaking in fear.
"Care to tell Miss Richards who Hermione Granger is?"
Justin looked from Snape to the girl and back again. "Uh, she's my wife," Justin finally muttered at the floor.
Snape watched the girl's reaction. She merely shrugged her shoulders. Bloody Slytherins, Snape thought angrily. "That's another twenty points, Miss Richards!"
Snape returned his attention to Justin. "Care to explain to me, you stupid little boy, what you are doing in here with Miss Richards if you are married?"
Justin stared at the floor.
"Repello!"
Justin's body was thrown violently across the small office, smacking into the far stone wall.
"I believe I asked you a question!" Snape bellowed, pointing his wand accusingly at Justin. Snape's dark eyes were burning in fury.
"Professor, Justin…." The girl spoke up, her voice quavering a little.
"Get out, Miss Richards!" Snape's attention stayed focused on Justin.
"But…"
"I SAID GET OUT!"
Snape heard the girl quickly gather her belongings and scamper from the room.
"Now, Justin," Snape paused, his eyes narrowing to tiny black slits. "I suggest you come up with a bloody good reason for why I have caught you screwing one of my students! And be quick about it, my wand is itching to do some nasty things."
"I didn't mean to, Sir," Justin whimpered from where he was still pinned to the wall. "Please…"
"Didn't mean to?! Didn't bloody mean too?!! You know what your actions have done?! If Dumbledore hears about this he will have no choice but to remove you from Hogwarts, Hermione and your little girl too!"
Justin's mouthed twitched a little.
"Have something to say about that, do you?" Snape poked Justin hard in the chest with the tip of his wand.
"I didn't want to come back here anyway." Justin's attempt at defiance came out as little more than a peep.
"I dare say I wouldn't have missed you," Snape sneered. His mind returned to the current situation. "Fucking little girls, Justin, is a very, very serious offence. I suggest your wife wouldn't be particularly pleased either."
"Fuck what Hermione thinks," Justin snapped back. "And she was 16 – she's legal."
"Ah, perhaps in the eyes of the law, but I have a very different view of what is right." Snape's wand moved down Justin's body until it was pointed to where he was hanging out of his pants. "And I would think my opinion would be of great interest to you right now, Mr Finch-Fletchley."
Justin whimpered. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" he begged, trying to cover himself, but his arms remained pinned against the wall.
"Bit late for that, I should think." Snape flicked his wand, and roared "EFFLUO!"
Justin's flaccid penis shrunk, shrivelling up until it was no longer visible.
Snape then allowed Justin to slide down the wall and land unceremoniously at his feet. Justin, unable to move by the share shock of the whole ordeal, stared unblinking up at Snape.
"You will tell Miss Granger precisely what you were doing tonight when I found you, Justin. If you don't, you will find out exactly what I am capable of." Snape rolled up one sleeve, and thrust the dark mark at the boy's face. Justin's eyes widened in fear. "And trust me, that is not something you wish to discover!"
Hermione wrapped up the final class the next day, and headed back to her rooms. When she arrived, there was no sign of either Ursula or Charlotte. Feeling a little panicked, Hermione found Justin sitting in his usual place – the sofa. Justin had been oddly quiet since the last evening, and had even managed to magick the dishes clean. Hermione had an uneasy feeling about his new cooperation, but more pressing issues were at hand.
"Where's Charlotte?" Hermione demanded.
Justin quickly replied, "Not sure. Ursula muttered something – left a note by the door."
Giving Justin an odd look, Hermione turned and grasped the parchment sitting on the entrance table.
Hermione,
I've had to go and sort out some of my sister's personal affairs. I have left Charlotte with Severus – now, don't you worry dear, he is more than capable of taking care of children.
So sorry,
Ursula.
Snape?! She'd left her daughter with Snape?!
"Bloody Merlin!" Hermione dashed out the door, slamming it behind her. As she raced down the halls Hermione was so consumed by the thought that Snape was taking care of her daughter, she'd forgotten all about the incident in Snape's office the previous evening. Hermione threw the door open to Snape's chambers and stopped dead in her tracks. On a large velvet rug in the middle of the floor sat Charlotte, dressed up as a princess. Opposite her was Severus Snape, sitting cross-legged, a pink teacup in one hand, a gaudy plastic tiara perched upon his greasy head. Several dolls surrounded the pair of them. Hermione couldn't help but smirk.
"Mummy! We're having a tea party!" Charlotte announced excitedly. "I'm Princess Charlotte and this is Princess Severus."
Hermione snorted in her attempt to hold back the laughter.
"Want to join us?" Charlotte asked innocently. The little girl still sounded blocked up with her cold.
"No, I think it's time you came home, Char," Hermione replied. She suddenly felt very awkward about being in the same room as Snape after last night.
"Actually, Miss Granger," Snape placed the teacup back in its saucer as he spoke. "I wouldn't mind a word with you."
Hermione shuddered inwardly, having dreaded this moment all day. With a reluctant nod she agreed.
Leaving Charlotte to play in the lounge Hermione followed Snape into his study. She glanced around the room noting the shelves overflowing with books, some of which she longed to read.
"Look, Severus, about last night," Hermione finally mustered up the courage to speak. "I'm sorry. It was completely inappropriate, and though it's not an excuse, I was a little tipsy."
Hermione's met his gaze, but her eyes drifted to the crown still sitting on his head. Snape quickly yanked it off and tossed it on his desk.
"Actually, Hermione, though I apologize sincerely for my…indiscretions last night, that is not what I wished to speak to you about."
Hermione felt like a part of her had been torn out. Snape hadn't meant to kiss her last night. It had all been an accident. She had been apologizing for her attitude at the Three Broomsticks. Well, that's just great, Hermione thought. The story of my life.
"Has Justin spoken with you?" Snape's words were spoken carefully.
Hermione gave the wizard a confused look. "About what?"
"I'll take that as a negative." Snape paused, shifting nervously from foot to foot. "I…discovered Justin and one of my students in a rather compromising situation." There, it was out.
"Excuse me?" Hermione's hands were now planted firmly on her hips, her eyes glaring at her old Potions Professor. "What sort of a compromising situation?"
"Bethany Richards and Justin were…uh… having sex… in the office off the Charms Classroom," Snape answered, watching Hermione closely for her reaction.
She was quiet for a moment, then "Yeah, right, Professor. I don't know what sort of silly game you're playing at here, but I think I've had quite enough of this nonsense!" Hermione turned to leave.
"It's true, Hermione."
Hermione spun around and gave Snape a glare to rival the best of his own. "Look, just because you embarrassed yourself last night there is no need to go making up stories about my husband!! You think I want anything to do with you?! You think I'm not embarrassed that I lost my godforsaken mind and fucking kissed the greasy haired, Sadistic, Bastard Head of Slytherin?!"
Snape was utterly insulted. He'd done the decent thing, and here she was screaming obscenities at him.
"Listen to yourself! You're the one parading around like little Miss Perfect! I'll have you know, Miss Granger, that the shambles your life is in is hardly a secret! They're all having a good laugh about it in the staff room!"
"Fuck you!"
"Well, that was intelligent!" Snape sneered. "And I'll have you know you lost your tiny wee mind long before last night – sometime during your seventh year here I believe!"
"Don't you dare talk to me about my actions, Professor, you were the one who took advantage of me last night while I was drunk!"
Snape's eyes narrowed, yet he remained silent.
Hermione stormed out, retrieving Charlotte on her way.
AN: Thank you to:
Red Queen 1 – Justin is on his way out! Kill snape? NEVER!
Anarane Anwamane – thanks :)
Stolen-Simplicitiy – Ah, decided Sev needed to have his own way with Justin in private. Hope you approve.
Rachel – Don't worry, you didn't sound like a first grader, just bubbly and happy! Thanks so much for your review.
Deb – Thank you! Yay! And Herm will of course end up with our darling potions master :)
Evil Crazy Willow – Thank you! (Love your name by the way!)
Jennifer13 – Justin is going! PROMISE! One more chapter, I think, and then he's outta there!
KdarkMaiden – Ten times better? Yay me! Thank you!
Lisa aka Lord Snapes Lady – Cheers for your review. Sevvys in Leeds? What do they sell? One hopes packaged Snapes, ready to go, but I have a feeling I'm going to be sorely disappointed ;)
Sammie Tonks – Thanks!
Minerva 7 – I really hope your feeling better. Thanks for your review too!
Meilan Firaga – Well, Snape hexed something! Cheers!
Karen Detroit – absolutely no plans on stopping any time soon! Next chapter in a day or two!