Disclaimer: I still don't own Hermione, Draco or any of their other friends in J. K. R.'s world. I want to be Snape's house-elf, but I guess I have to live vicariously through Hermione.

AN: Ony thinks . . . -Draco is a sexy prat - But says "Do with me as you wish Master." -I didn't mean loan me to Snape! -

***

Ch.5 : Debts and Obligations ~


Draco was dressed in one of his finest robes as he left to go to his parents' manor with Professor Snape. Ony couldn't help but see through his cold exterior to the curly haired cherub she knew was hidden beneath. She wondered if his parents would notice the difference in him. After less than a week she was noticing a healthy pink glow to his cheeks and he was even acting a little nicer as well.

He had left her a list of chores that he wanted finished while he was away, but it really wasn't much at all. It was enough to ensure she didn't have a day off, which was strictly against house-elf rules. It allowed her ample opportunity to talk with Winky and Dobby who would also have less to do considering how many of the students had gone home for the holidays.

Draco was only going to be gone one night and Hermione was looking forward to sleeping a good ten hours to catch up on her missed sleep. She decided against taking a nap as well, opting for a long chat with Winky instead.

Ony did speak at length with Winky in her small chambers. They sat near the fire at the small table, sipping tea and asking each other questions about their weeks. It was warm and comfortable sitting by the fire, and chatting with the other house-elf eased the homesickness Hermione was feeling for her family, friends and even Draco.

Winky was curious how things were going between Draco and Ony so far, but had been warned by the Headmaster to give them time before asking too many questions. Ony's instructor in 'all things house-elf' was proud of her. She peeked into Draco's rooms and saw that Ony must be working very hard to make her master happy. The rooms were spotless.

When Winky asked Ony about her enslavement and the relationship forming between her and Draco, she received a sheepish look in response. Ony knew things had been more difficult than expected this past week, but it honestly hadn't all been her fault, but still it was hard to admit. She explained to Winky about the chocolate fiasco . . . how her master had insisted on having chocolate, damn the consequences. It had been so difficult to disobey her master when he got sick, even though it was in his best interests.

Winky nodded, knowing that she would also have had a hard time choosing what to do in a situation such as that. She thought Ony had done admirably. When she told the honorary house-elf so, she broke down in tears. Winky was shocked by the emotional outburst coming from Ony.

"I haven't done admirably. I miscast a spell and my master hasn't been the same since. I think I did something terribly wrong."

Everyone knew Hermione's reputation at Hogwarts. Even the house-elves knew she was the brightest witch Hogwarts had taught since Professor McGonagall. So it was little wonder that Winky doubted her story.

"What magic is Ony doing with Master Draco?" Winky asked.

Ony explained the whole situation to Winky. Although the other house-elf was likewise unfamiliar with the spell, she had learned enough about wizards to know Ony would have been punished immediately if the spell had been something dangerous.

"How is Master Draco different?" Winky asked.

"He gets awfully pink in the cheeks when I enter the room, and he has been avoiding me." Ony's expression was grim and her eyes were fixed on the floor.

Winky giggled, startling Hermione out of her brooding. "Ony's Master is just being embarrassed. No worry – Master will be better." After a moment, Winky decided it would be best to warn Ony to be more careful to prevent another, more serious mistake. "Ony is being careful with magic now?"

"Yes very careful, I don't use any around my master, if possible."

"Good thinking," Winky replied.

Hermione chewed her lip for a moment in concentration before she finally got up the nerve to ask, "Winky do house-elves have boyfriends and girlfriends?" She knew they must, otherwise where would little house-elves come from, but she didn't know how else to broach the subject.

Winky blushed and looked away before finally answering, "Winky does."

Hermione let out a delighted giggle. "Is he here at Hogwarts?"

Winky nodded vigorously, ears flapping. "Winky is dating Dobby," she admitted after another series of blushes.

"That's wonderful," Hermione said enthusiastically. "Is he good to you?"

"Oh yes – Dobby is very kind to Winky when Master Crouch sent me away. He is cute, too," she said blushing again.

"I'm so happy to hear that you're both happy together, Winky."

"What has Ony thinking of boyfriends?"

Now it was Hermione's turn to blush. "Since I've been living with Master Draco, I've come to realize there is more to life than just books and grades."

Winky bounced joyfully up and down on her seat making the teacups rattle. "I am happy for Ony. Dobby will be happy as well."

"I haven't found anyone yet," Hermione pointed out to the overenthusiastic house-elf, "I'm just thinking about finding someone."

"Winky thinks Ony is thinking too much and looking not enough, but Ony will not be needing to look very far."

The mischief twinkling in Winky's eyes was reminiscent of the Headmaster's and gave Ony the sneaking suspicion that Winky knew something she wasn't telling. Before Ony had time to question the mischievous house-elf, she disappeared with claims of important tasks being neglected.

Hermione was once again alone in her chambers and she decided to make the most of her time. Her Christmas gifts to her friends and family had already been given to the Headmaster to send out so she didn't have to worry about that, and she had finished her assigned chores for the day.

A bit of reading would cheer her up and get her feeling like her old self again. She had been neglecting her studies during the last week, and now was the perfect opportunity to catch up. Draco had been feeling generous and gave her permission to read from his vast collection of books until his return so long as her chores were complete. It took no time at all for Hermione to choose a book, after all she had organized them twice less than a week ago. There were a few books missing from the shelves she noticed, and suspected Draco had them hidden somewhere.

She settled down on her bed with another Charms book. This book was much more advanced than the one Draco had lent her. She had hoped it might contain answers, she wanted to know what the spell she had cast on her master had done, and she was in for a disappointment.

Three books later she was still disappointed. As she had told the Headmaster, she really didn't know where to begin looking. The books themselves were fascinating, but she couldn't help but remind herself that she was looking for something specific. She was sure to get an O on her Charms N.E.W.T., but even that did little to comfort her.

***

When Draco returned, Ony had the list of chores completed and the borrowed books returned to their shelves. She had learned lots of invaluable Charms, but nothing about the one that continued to elude her. Ony was quite happy to have her master back at Hogwarts though. She had felt oddly lonely without him.

Draco had mixed feelings about being back at Hogwarts. He enjoyed seeing his parents and was spoiled with the best foods and gifts as usual, but his conversation with his Head of House was still nagging at him, keeping him from enjoying his time away from school. He wasn't looking forward to the discussion he needed to have with Ony either.

He inspected his chambers, although he knew what he would find. Ony had worked as hard as if he were there watching over her. He could find no flaw in her work. Dobby would be proud of his student. The only complaint Draco had at all wasn't really Ony's fault, after all he had told her clearly not to ask any more questions. She had obeyed and dutifully wrapped the Christmas gifts as ordered, without any indication as to whom they belonged. If he had looked foolish on Christmas day, it was his own fault, but that seemed to be a topic to save for discussion on another day.

Today he had to explain to Ony about the deal he had made with Professor Snape, silence at a price. If his father had learned about the spell he'd had Ony cast on him, it would have meant not only embarrassment, but trouble and perhaps even punishment for both of them. Draco couldn't get rid of the feeling that he'd only bought them more trouble by agreeing to his professor's terms.

Draco called Ony in and waited nervously for her to arrive. He noticed how much faster she came compared to her first days there. He complimented her on all her hard work, stalling for time till he figured out how much it was safe to say. Ony stood patiently waiting for her master's orders. When none came, she offered to bring him some tea. He gladly accepted the offer and hoped while she was gone he would somehow get the courage to tell her about his holiday, or perhaps the ground would open up and swallow him making it unnecessary.

After the tea had arrived, he finally managed to explain without mentioning the spell specifically, that the professor knew something that would get him in big trouble if his father found out. He told her that the professor promised to keep Draco's secret only if she would spend the week working for him. She would be helping him pay off a debt and keeping him out of trouble.

A wide range of emotions played across Ony's face. She asked him over and over if she had done something to upset her master, and it nearly broke the heart that Draco never knew he had. He decided she might realize he wasn't angry at her if he gave her the Christmas gift he had picked up for her in Hogsmeade. He hadn't even thought how wrong that could go.

Although the box was small, it was still big enough to fit a sock such as had been used to free Dobby, and her eyes went wide and spilled over with tears when he tried to hand it to her. Eventually he had to unwrap the gift himself to prove to her that he wasn't setting her free from anything but frizzy hair. She held the comb with reverence as she apologized for making a scene.

Ony wasn't sure why she was reacting so badly. True, she hadn't expected to be lent out like property, especially to Professor Snape, but that was no reason to cry like – like – well, like Winky. It was not the first nor last time that she wondered what that spell the Headmaster had cast was, and what it was doing to her.

Draco told her to go wait in her room till the professor came to collect her. He watched her leave the room still clutching the comb as she shut the door quietly behind her, then sat down hard and stared at his shoes. He wasn't accustomed to feeling this way, especially about the help.

***

It wasn't long before Professor Snape came to collect Ony and show her the new passage the castle had built connecting her room to his. He had explained to Professor Dumbledore, with as few details as possible, about the deal he and Draco had struck. He was to have the services of the house-elf formerly known as Hermione Granger for one week. It shocked the Potions Master when Dumbledore greeted the news with twinkling eyes and no argument, merely casting a quick spell on him before sending him on his way. The Headmaster hastily explained that the spell was simply so he would be able to call Ony whenever he needed her and promised to arrange the castle to suit their needs. He then shut the door to the office before the professor had a chance to reply.

The professor wondered again why he was getting himself involved in the affairs of a Gryffindor, although he would deny having any misgivings about what he was doing to anyone but himself. As much as he didn't want it, he was also glad to have the Headmaster's approval.

***

Ony was waiting for him when he arrived. Her tears had dried up and her hair was smoother than the professor had ever seen it. The front of her garment was crumpled, obviously from where she had been twisting the fabric in her fists nervously.

"Did Draco explain everything to you, Ony?"

-Somehow I think it was far from everything - "Yes, sir – What would you like me to call you sir?"

"Sir or Professor will do fine – anything but Master," the professor said with distaste.

"Yes, sir," Ony responded timidly. -Thank goodness -

"Let me show you my rooms," the professor offered and opened the door leading to his chambers.

-Step into my parlor said the spider to the fly -

They were larger than Draco's, but not near as elegantly decorated. It lacked the rich fabrics, and the rugs were thin and worn. In addition to a bedroom, bathroom and sitting room, the professor's chambers also included a private potion's lab. The lab, according to the professor, is where the majority of her time will be spent.

Ony didn't have Dobby and Winky to explain what her new master expected of her this time. Instead she had to pay close attention to the professor as he instructed her himself, and make a mental note of the location of his possessions. It seemed rather simple compared to the glut of requirements Draco had. Snape's possessions were fewer and he seemed to be more careful with how he left them. There was no evidence of disarray such as had existed in Draco's rooms before she came.

After he had finished giving her the tour, he immediately got started working on potions in the lab, while she scrubbed the floor in the Potions class. The floor was rather in need of a good scrubbing, so Ony got to work. When it was very nearly finished, Professor Snape came in to check on her. Her back was to the door and she didn't notice him enter. He stood for a moment able to notice nothing but the way the pillowcase had risen dangerously up her thighs as she scrubbed the floor on her hands and knees. He swallowed hard and cleared his throat to get her attention.

"If you are almost done here, I could use your assistance in my private lab," he asked in an even tone.

"Of course, sir," Ony responded eagerly, despite the fact that Snape had turned and left without waiting for an answer. She stood up, gave the bottom of her garment a tug back into place and followed the professor out of the room. -Git -

Large piles of ingredients were laid on the table in front of her as he instructed her on how he wished each of them prepared. Every ingredient needed special preparation depending on how it was going to be used, and some could be dangerous if improperly handled. Some required chopping while others needed to be skinned and sliced or ground. Many of the ingredients Hermione had only ever read about, being either too rare or expensive for classroom use. She was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such a variety of rare ingredients.

It was a nice change to be helping in the lab after doing little more than fetching tea and scrubbing the bathroom for the last week. Hermione knew it wouldn't last, but it was nice anyhow. It helped sooth the feeling of emptiness she had, knowing Draco wouldn't be calling on her for a whole week.

It took her by surprise how different the professor seemed without a room full of students irritating him. He worked quietly, only occasionally looking up to check on her progress, and judge when she would have the next ingredient he would need ready to add to the large cauldron he was stirring. There were no snide comments and he focused his attention on the potion.

After over an hour of working in silence the professor spoke. "I would have expected you to ask about the potion we are brewing by now."

-I prefer silence to insults - "You would have informed me if it was my business."

Professor Snape raised one eyebrow and stared for a moment in disbelief. "Who are you and what have you done with Miss Granger?" he said straight faced.

-I wish I hadn't wasted my time in Draco's library with books on Charms - "It contains ground Narwhal Horn as well as shredded Valerian root, so it is very likely a medicinal potion . . . perhaps a variation of Dreamless Sleep, with more specific healing properties."

"Very well, identity confirmed . . . and you are correct. It is a variation I have been developing for quite sometime. Something to work on when time and ingredients are both prevalent enough."

-He's letting me help him develop a new potion? - "I am honored to be allowed to assist you, sir."

"I am aware of the care you take in preparing your potion ingredients in class and your assistance will speed the research."

-Was that a compliment? I wonder if the Headmaster cast a spell on him too? -

"That is all the ingredients that you need to prepare for the moment. Now it needs to be stirred in a figure eight pattern for the next hour and a quarter. While you do that I will prepare the Orchid pollen."

Although it took great care to prepare the fine grains of pollen, they were ready before the potion was, so the Potions Master took a seat and conjured a pot of tea. He had been taking notes on the potions progress in his journal and needed to add the latest data. He needed to keep track of variations in its color and viscosity at each stage of preparation. He could feel her eyes upon him and was curious what had drawn Ony's attention. When he looked up, her cheeks turned crimson and she turned away.

- Good Gods! -

Curious he glanced around to see what had drawn her attention. It took no time to spot it and for a moment his cheeks colored as well. His wand residing in his pocket, combined with his position on the chair had given the illusion of an impressive bulge in his robes. He willed his cheeks to return to their normal color, or perhaps lack of color, and freed his wand from its unusual position.

Hermione was staring pointedly into the cauldron she was stirring. When Hermione failed to notice he let out an exasperated sigh. "I believe this is the cause of your distraction," he said holding up his wand.

Hermione flushed even brighter when she realized the absurdity of her error. -How can I be so stupid? - "Sorry sir. I thought . . ." she began meekly.

"I know what you thought. Do you believe you have that reaction on everyone?" he asked mockingly.

-What reaction on everyone? What is that supposed to mean? - "Sir?"

"I believed you were above such distractions," Snape said cooly.

-I miss Draco. No, I have to stay focused - "I'll try to stay more focused, sir."

"I should certainly hope so," Snape scoffed.

-I don't think I've ever seen Snape's wand before. Oh yes I did, but I was too busy staring at Lockhart - "Yours is much larger than Draco's," she stated bluntly. -Since when have I started comparing them? -

Snape choked and sputtered and sprayed his tea half way across the room. "I beg your pardon?!" he finally managed to say.

"Your wand," she answered, "it's much larger than Draco's. It never really occurred to me before."

Snape looked at her searchingly, trying to discern if she was actually serious. Still unsure he responded, "It is a Snape family trait. We all have large noses and impressive wands."

-I wonder why I've never thought about the differences in everyone's wands - "Hmm, I wonder if there is a correlation. Draco has such a dainty nose, and tiny feet too."

At that Snape nearly choked on his tongue while trying to restrain himself from laughing.

-Do stronger wizards need to have bigger wands? - "Does it make a difference? The size I mean . . ."

The Potions Master had never had such a healthy pallor. "Some would argue it does, yes."

-The wood must vary in hardness as well, most intriguing - "That would be an interesting subject to research some time," she decided.

"I rather think you have your hands full at the moment," he said wondering how he ever got into this absurd conversation.

"You're right. I'll be tied-up with research for a few more weeks," Ony admitted. -once I'm finally allowed back in the library -

"What research? Something in preparation for your upcoming N.E.W.T.S., I assume?"

"Reciprocal relations between Master and slave," she answered nervously. -not that a house-elf has ever written about their experiences -

"Not exactly class material," bemused by how seriously his student was taking this house-elf experiment.

-I still have so much to understand about being a house-elf - "Sir, I think it is time for the next ingredient," Ony stated hesitantly.

The Potions Master approached the cauldron and observed the color. "You are correct." He took over stirring for Ony and added the pollen very slowly. After that was done, the potion needed to simmer undisturbed for twenty-four hours. "It needs to rest, and I believe you do as well. You may retire for the night. I'll call for someone else bring my supper."

"As you wish, sir," Ony said with a bow.

"I'll call you in the morning when I need you. Goodnight Ony."

"Goodnight, sir." -This is going to be a long week -

After Ony had left the professor wondered whether Draco had told Ony about the spell yet, and how much material worthy for blackmail there would be on him after his week with Ony. Only one day and he was already questioning his sanity. He'd rescued her from Draco, now who would save him from her.

***

tbc . . .

Thanks so much for all the wonderful reviews.