Thou Shalt Not Lie to One's Head of House
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Goddamn that man! How dare he?!
I stomp through the Gryffindor common room, planning on retreating to the safety of my room. Thankfully being head girl I get it all to myself. Taking my anger out on my pillow seems about as reasonable as anything else right now, and certainly safer than hexing any and all who cross my path – at least for them.
"Fucking asshole," I mutter, totally oblivious to anyone else in the room.
"Hermione?" I vaguely recognise Ron's voice forcing its way through my thoughts and turn in his direction. Ron looks quite taken back by the evil glare I shoot at him. Poor boy - it's not his fault that all men are bastards. Poor blighter never stood a chance - it's in his genes.
"All right," Harry says with a sigh, like I've subjected them to this on numerous occasions. "What did Snape give you on your essay?"
I huff at him in reply.
"Herm, face it, you are never going to get a perfect mark in Potions," Ron says, looking almost amused.
Oh, so this is what they think it's about – Perfect Little Hermione needs to have Perfect grades to make her Perfect life complete? Well, I have news for them!
"I got an A+!" Okay, maybe I didn't need to yell it quite so loudly, but the point seems to have gotten across.
Harry raises a shocked eyebrow. Ron looks like he's about to have a heart attack.
"So," Harry asks very slowly, looking rather afraid of what I might do to him, "what's the problem with that?"
I glare at the two of them some more. "Nothing!"
I turn and stomp away, but I still catch Ron's "Must be that time of the month!"
Somehow I manage to resist the urge to turn him into a damned tampon and continue on my way.
I reach my room, but staring at the pillow I feel my anger lift and discover myself bawling my eyes out in said pillow instead of pounding it into oblivion.
I am so confused. I really don't know what came over me in Potions. Okay, I know precisely what it was – Severus Snape gets me going. It's not just that the man is highly intelligent, nor the air of distinction he carries with him, but the fact that he is unbelievably sexy. And, though I hate to admit it because it is even more embarrassing that lusting after the most despised Professor at Hogwarts, I get this rush when I get perfect marks. I suppose the thrill gave me the courage (or should that be the stupidity?) to kiss him. In all honesty I expected that he would say something nasty and send me on my way. Looking back now, that would've been preferable. Instead, what does he do? Bloody gives me the best snog I've ever had – and there goes another pathetic admission. A three-second kiss from Professor Snape tops any other I've ever had. Three seconds of utter elation where I think he returns my affections. Three seconds where I think perhaps someone sees me as something other than a know-it-all bookworm. And then that's it. Suppose he came to his senses and realised what he was doing – kissing a pathetic little Gryffindor who gets her ya-yas from perfect grades. Kissing a plain, sexless, irritating mudblood. Kissing me.
I reach the door to the dungeon Potions classroom the next day utterly determined to ignore my fleeting emotions. I'll sit there perfectly quiet as usual. I'll make my potion perfectly as usual. I'll take perfect notes in my perfect bloody handwriting as usual. And no one will pay me a moment's attention - as usual. Yet I find my self frozen in my tracks. There is absolutely no way I can go in there and pretend that kiss didn't happen. I suddenly have visions of myself breaking down in class – and the thrill on Malfoy's face when he sees me bawling. I'll be the laughing stock of Hogwarts, not to mention what Severus will think of me – probably thinks this is all a great joke.
"Herm?" Ron asks, his head popping back around the doorframe when I don't follow him into hell.
I stare at him, stuck to the spot.
"Come on!" he hisses frantically. I can hear the door to Severus' office slam shut and know that he is now prowling across the front of the class.
"Uh, I'm not feeling so well," I mutter and turn from Ron. I race from the dungeons as quickly as my weak knees will carry me.
"Miss Granger, a word?" McGonagall's voice is crisp and cutting. Crap, am I in trouble! I turn around slowly, trying to defer the inevitable. The rest of Gryffindor push passed me, all in a sudden rush to get back to the common room from dinner. Everyone knows *that* tone of Professor McGonagall's too well.
"Yes, Professor?" I say in the politest, most innocent voice I can muster considering I know that I'm completely guilty.
"My office."
She turns sharply on her heel walking at such at pace towards her office that I practically have to run to keep up. I am in so much crap – and this time I don't even have a noble reason to excuse it.
When we reach her office she takes her seat behind her desk. I stand there awkwardly, politely waiting to be offered a seat. A few manners might just help…
"SIT!"
Or not.
I slip into the hard chair opposite her, perching stiffly on the edge. I stare at my hands, which seem to be jittering of their own accord. I can feel her eyes boring through me.
"I have been informed that you were not in potions today."
In all honesty I am quite surprised that Severus has told her – I somewhat expected him to ignore my absence given what happened yesterday.
"No, Professor."
"And I assume you have a good reason for your absence?"
I can't look at her. I really can't. "No." My voice comes out so quiet that I'm surprised she even heard me.
Her voice suddenly softens, taking me by surprise. "Did Professor Snape say something to upset you, dear?"
I look up at her. A tiny part of me thinks just make something up and get out of this. He's called you many nasty names on many occasions, just use one of those…
"No." Damn the Gryffindor in me.
"Well then," McGonagall says sharply, "that is thirty points from Gryffindor, Miss Granger. And a weeks detention. You will also make up that class with Professor Snape immediately."
"No!" I yelp before I can stop myself.
McGonagall gives me an odd look. "And why not?"
"I'll do two weeks worth of detentions, just don't make me make up that class!" I plead with her.
"Hermione, is there something you wish to tell me?" McGonagall is looking at me in a motherly sort of way. "I know Severus can be cruel dear, but he is harmless."
Yeah, right. "No, I just…"
"Well then," her voice is stern once more, "you will go and apologise to Professor Snape for your absence and work through today's lesson immediately."
I give her my best impression of a wounded puppy, but the firm line of her thin lips informs me that there will be no getting out this one. I sigh in resignation.
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AN: Right, thought I'd better put in Andrian's challenge rules:
And Thou Shalt Not. A Question of Right or Wrong
This is a challenge that will deal with adult issues and themes and questions about morality (or not) The Challenge Severus Snape once had the love of Hermione Granger. Whether it was from a distance or a close relationship is up to the writer. For whatever reason Severus pushed her away. Whether it was because he did not return her love, feared for her or him, didn't believe he deserved it etc. Explain why. Now he wants her. Is it real love, lust, just an obsession, perhaps because he cannot have her, etc. You decide. Maybe Severus doesn't even realize the real reason why he must have her. Things are not always easy. Hermione is now married and is happy. It does not have to be the perfect marriage however these things CANNOT be said about the marriage or her husband. 1) It was a marriage of convenience. 2) That either party is unhappy. 3) Her husband is abusive, self centered, neglectful or cheating on her. Basically it is a solid marriage. Rules: 1) A history included on Severus/Hermione relationship and why they did not wind up together. 2) Hermione has been married at least 5 years to a Canon character other than Ron or Harry (be inventive, there are other males in the wizarding world) 3) Hermione may or may not have children (bonus for having children, it makes it more complex) 4) Try to keep Severus in character, the inner conflict of wanting what he should not but determined to try to have the woman he believes he loves. Things to include: 1) A kiss between Severus/Hermione in the rain 2) A confrontation between Severus and Hermione's husband 3) A woman Hermione confides in (other than Ginny) 4) Someone who tries to persuade Severus in a concerned way that he is wrong in his pursuit of a married woman other than Dumbledore and Lupin. (They have been used enough as Severus' support) 5) A gossiper that does not help the situation. 6) Both Severus and Hermione questioning what is right and wrong either together or separately. How this ends is up to you. Do Severus and Hermione end up together? If so, how and why. The same goes for if they do not end up together. Bonus: use the phrase "Thou shalt not…." Fill in the rest. Challenge ends February 14th, 2004. Please post at least the first chapter (if multiple chaptered) before then.
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Big thank you's to all my reviewers…
Rachel – ask and thy shall receive! Another chapter in a day or two, k?
Slainte – Ah, funny and sexy? The best combination! Thank you!
DarkGoddess – Yay! Thank you!
KK – Thank you too! Love me stories? Oh, you make me feel all warm and fuzzy!
Faith – Cheers!
Jennifer13 – No flash forward yet my dear, I'm not quite finished with the Potions God yet! And I do apologise, but I happen to be the queen of cliffies!
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Goddamn that man! How dare he?!
I stomp through the Gryffindor common room, planning on retreating to the safety of my room. Thankfully being head girl I get it all to myself. Taking my anger out on my pillow seems about as reasonable as anything else right now, and certainly safer than hexing any and all who cross my path – at least for them.
"Fucking asshole," I mutter, totally oblivious to anyone else in the room.
"Hermione?" I vaguely recognise Ron's voice forcing its way through my thoughts and turn in his direction. Ron looks quite taken back by the evil glare I shoot at him. Poor boy - it's not his fault that all men are bastards. Poor blighter never stood a chance - it's in his genes.
"All right," Harry says with a sigh, like I've subjected them to this on numerous occasions. "What did Snape give you on your essay?"
I huff at him in reply.
"Herm, face it, you are never going to get a perfect mark in Potions," Ron says, looking almost amused.
Oh, so this is what they think it's about – Perfect Little Hermione needs to have Perfect grades to make her Perfect life complete? Well, I have news for them!
"I got an A+!" Okay, maybe I didn't need to yell it quite so loudly, but the point seems to have gotten across.
Harry raises a shocked eyebrow. Ron looks like he's about to have a heart attack.
"So," Harry asks very slowly, looking rather afraid of what I might do to him, "what's the problem with that?"
I glare at the two of them some more. "Nothing!"
I turn and stomp away, but I still catch Ron's "Must be that time of the month!"
Somehow I manage to resist the urge to turn him into a damned tampon and continue on my way.
I reach my room, but staring at the pillow I feel my anger lift and discover myself bawling my eyes out in said pillow instead of pounding it into oblivion.
I am so confused. I really don't know what came over me in Potions. Okay, I know precisely what it was – Severus Snape gets me going. It's not just that the man is highly intelligent, nor the air of distinction he carries with him, but the fact that he is unbelievably sexy. And, though I hate to admit it because it is even more embarrassing that lusting after the most despised Professor at Hogwarts, I get this rush when I get perfect marks. I suppose the thrill gave me the courage (or should that be the stupidity?) to kiss him. In all honesty I expected that he would say something nasty and send me on my way. Looking back now, that would've been preferable. Instead, what does he do? Bloody gives me the best snog I've ever had – and there goes another pathetic admission. A three-second kiss from Professor Snape tops any other I've ever had. Three seconds of utter elation where I think he returns my affections. Three seconds where I think perhaps someone sees me as something other than a know-it-all bookworm. And then that's it. Suppose he came to his senses and realised what he was doing – kissing a pathetic little Gryffindor who gets her ya-yas from perfect grades. Kissing a plain, sexless, irritating mudblood. Kissing me.
I reach the door to the dungeon Potions classroom the next day utterly determined to ignore my fleeting emotions. I'll sit there perfectly quiet as usual. I'll make my potion perfectly as usual. I'll take perfect notes in my perfect bloody handwriting as usual. And no one will pay me a moment's attention - as usual. Yet I find my self frozen in my tracks. There is absolutely no way I can go in there and pretend that kiss didn't happen. I suddenly have visions of myself breaking down in class – and the thrill on Malfoy's face when he sees me bawling. I'll be the laughing stock of Hogwarts, not to mention what Severus will think of me – probably thinks this is all a great joke.
"Herm?" Ron asks, his head popping back around the doorframe when I don't follow him into hell.
I stare at him, stuck to the spot.
"Come on!" he hisses frantically. I can hear the door to Severus' office slam shut and know that he is now prowling across the front of the class.
"Uh, I'm not feeling so well," I mutter and turn from Ron. I race from the dungeons as quickly as my weak knees will carry me.
"Miss Granger, a word?" McGonagall's voice is crisp and cutting. Crap, am I in trouble! I turn around slowly, trying to defer the inevitable. The rest of Gryffindor push passed me, all in a sudden rush to get back to the common room from dinner. Everyone knows *that* tone of Professor McGonagall's too well.
"Yes, Professor?" I say in the politest, most innocent voice I can muster considering I know that I'm completely guilty.
"My office."
She turns sharply on her heel walking at such at pace towards her office that I practically have to run to keep up. I am in so much crap – and this time I don't even have a noble reason to excuse it.
When we reach her office she takes her seat behind her desk. I stand there awkwardly, politely waiting to be offered a seat. A few manners might just help…
"SIT!"
Or not.
I slip into the hard chair opposite her, perching stiffly on the edge. I stare at my hands, which seem to be jittering of their own accord. I can feel her eyes boring through me.
"I have been informed that you were not in potions today."
In all honesty I am quite surprised that Severus has told her – I somewhat expected him to ignore my absence given what happened yesterday.
"No, Professor."
"And I assume you have a good reason for your absence?"
I can't look at her. I really can't. "No." My voice comes out so quiet that I'm surprised she even heard me.
Her voice suddenly softens, taking me by surprise. "Did Professor Snape say something to upset you, dear?"
I look up at her. A tiny part of me thinks just make something up and get out of this. He's called you many nasty names on many occasions, just use one of those…
"No." Damn the Gryffindor in me.
"Well then," McGonagall says sharply, "that is thirty points from Gryffindor, Miss Granger. And a weeks detention. You will also make up that class with Professor Snape immediately."
"No!" I yelp before I can stop myself.
McGonagall gives me an odd look. "And why not?"
"I'll do two weeks worth of detentions, just don't make me make up that class!" I plead with her.
"Hermione, is there something you wish to tell me?" McGonagall is looking at me in a motherly sort of way. "I know Severus can be cruel dear, but he is harmless."
Yeah, right. "No, I just…"
"Well then," her voice is stern once more, "you will go and apologise to Professor Snape for your absence and work through today's lesson immediately."
I give her my best impression of a wounded puppy, but the firm line of her thin lips informs me that there will be no getting out this one. I sigh in resignation.
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AN: Right, thought I'd better put in Andrian's challenge rules:
And Thou Shalt Not. A Question of Right or Wrong
This is a challenge that will deal with adult issues and themes and questions about morality (or not) The Challenge Severus Snape once had the love of Hermione Granger. Whether it was from a distance or a close relationship is up to the writer. For whatever reason Severus pushed her away. Whether it was because he did not return her love, feared for her or him, didn't believe he deserved it etc. Explain why. Now he wants her. Is it real love, lust, just an obsession, perhaps because he cannot have her, etc. You decide. Maybe Severus doesn't even realize the real reason why he must have her. Things are not always easy. Hermione is now married and is happy. It does not have to be the perfect marriage however these things CANNOT be said about the marriage or her husband. 1) It was a marriage of convenience. 2) That either party is unhappy. 3) Her husband is abusive, self centered, neglectful or cheating on her. Basically it is a solid marriage. Rules: 1) A history included on Severus/Hermione relationship and why they did not wind up together. 2) Hermione has been married at least 5 years to a Canon character other than Ron or Harry (be inventive, there are other males in the wizarding world) 3) Hermione may or may not have children (bonus for having children, it makes it more complex) 4) Try to keep Severus in character, the inner conflict of wanting what he should not but determined to try to have the woman he believes he loves. Things to include: 1) A kiss between Severus/Hermione in the rain 2) A confrontation between Severus and Hermione's husband 3) A woman Hermione confides in (other than Ginny) 4) Someone who tries to persuade Severus in a concerned way that he is wrong in his pursuit of a married woman other than Dumbledore and Lupin. (They have been used enough as Severus' support) 5) A gossiper that does not help the situation. 6) Both Severus and Hermione questioning what is right and wrong either together or separately. How this ends is up to you. Do Severus and Hermione end up together? If so, how and why. The same goes for if they do not end up together. Bonus: use the phrase "Thou shalt not…." Fill in the rest. Challenge ends February 14th, 2004. Please post at least the first chapter (if multiple chaptered) before then.
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Big thank you's to all my reviewers…
Rachel – ask and thy shall receive! Another chapter in a day or two, k?
Slainte – Ah, funny and sexy? The best combination! Thank you!
DarkGoddess – Yay! Thank you!
KK – Thank you too! Love me stories? Oh, you make me feel all warm and fuzzy!
Faith – Cheers!
Jennifer13 – No flash forward yet my dear, I'm not quite finished with the Potions God yet! And I do apologise, but I happen to be the queen of cliffies!