- NANNY AND THE PROFESSOR
A/N: Sorry to disappoint those of you who think it's not Snape's kid. It is and for what I have in mind, it will work a lot better that way ;-)
CHAPTER 2
An hour later, Hermione and Professor Snape were making their way to Hogsmeade, leaving a very upset Seirian with Madam Pomfrey. Hermione could tell the medi-witch wasn't too happy either, but apart from glaring disapprovingly at them for slamming the door with a sleeping infant in the room, she didn't say a word.
That was indeed an enormous lack of judgment and self control on her part. She was the Nanny, how could she be so careless? Snape wasn't a surprise though, she expected that kind of behavior from him.
She focused her eyes on his tall dark figure; all he had done since they left the castle was grunt and walk in long strides ahead of her, which she made sure to ignore. Once he realized she wasn't going to try and keep up with him, he would have to slow down.
The prospect of spending an entire afternoon shopping with the man wasn't very endearing. He wasn't easy to be around in the school, she could only imagine how he would be out shopping for baby items. If Harry could see her now... buying wipes and baby powder for Snape's infant. Surreal!
There were many questions in her mind about his so called 'indiscretion.' She couldn't understand how a man of his personality could accept a baby being shoved on his face without so much as an argument. It was true she didn't know what the circumstances of his encounter with the child's mother had been, but his resignation to accept a baby into his private world didn't fit the profile of her former Potions Professor. Maybe there was more to bastard Snape than met the eye.
During the few hours she had seen him and the baby in the same room, there was absolutely no interaction or any show of emotions toward the child. She couldn't remember Snape showing anything other than anger and loathing before and it wasn't a surprise to see his indifference around his son.
But why did he just agree with it? Surely he must have done a paternity test, an ex-spy with paranoid tendencies would never trust the word of anyone, even if the child's resemblance was uncanny.
"Miss Granger!" Snape's inpatient voice disturbed her swirl of thoughts.
"What?"
"Don't you understand a simple question anymore?" he replied dryly.
"I'm sorry sir, I was lost in my thoughts," she replied a little surprised that they were already in Hogsmeade and she hadn't even noticed arriving there.
"Probably because it's become such an unfamiliar territory for you lately. One can only wonder at the exhilarating intellectual conversations you and your husband must have shared." He smirked, once more succeeding in hitting the target.
"EX-husband and I don't see how my relationships are of any relevance to you or the services I am supposed to provide you!" she replied. "What was your question, Sir?"
"Where do you intend to start shopping? I gather you know where to go," he said impatiently.
Hermione lifted her chin and muttered, "This way, Sir."
After walking a couple of blocks, Hermione recognized the baby shop she had passed one too many times in her trips to Hogsmeade. She looked back and saw Snape suspiciously glaring at the store clerk who was a festive plump woman dressed in pink robes. She could tell he was incredibly uncomfortable and truth be told, he was disturbingly out of place with all those pastel colors surrounding him. Anyone in a mile radius could spot him inside the store; he was standing out like a sore thumb.
"Can I help you?" said the woman sweetly, earning a sneer from the Professor.
Snape turned to Hermione as if waiting for her to speak. Hermione pulled out her list and both women started going through the store, gathering various items and placing them on the counter. Snape just kept his distance, looking his annoyed self.
Hermione had practically found everything she needed, from self-refilling magical wipes to a nappy vanishing-disposer. All they needed was some more appropriate clothes for Seirian and so they moved on to another shop further ahead. While Hermione took her time to choose the best clothing, Snape crossed his arms and leaned to the wall pretending not to be interested, but grunting in protest every time Hermione picked something he considered too girly for his son. At some point he started to get things himself and Hermione thought he had pretty good taste for a man.
When Snape was paying for the items, a high pitched scream made them jump and a woman all dressed in silver robes and covered in expensive jewels ran in Hermione's direction, giving her a life squeezing hug.
"I'm so happy to see you here!" said the woman excitedly. "Guess what?"
Hermione opened her mouth to answer but the woman cut off. "I had another baby! Another little girl!"
"Congratulations Mrs Slope. How's your husband?" Hermione asked politely.
"Which one?" she asked laughing. "Now it's Mrs Brandon by the way, Mr Slope is in a better place now, God rest his soul. But tell me dear, where have you been? I've been looking for you like mad, you see, I would love to have you as a Nanny again. You were the best Nanny I had the pleasure to hire and the girls love you! With the new one now, I really need help. How lucky of me to find you here."
"Really?" Hermione said smiling.
Snape cleared his throat and came closer to both women. Hermione looked at him and then back at Mrs Brandon. "I'm sorry, but I already took on another job... if you had come a week earlier..."
"Oh." The woman noticed Snape for the first time, glaring at her. Understanding the situation, she said, "I can offer you double of anything he's paying you."
Faster than a cat, Snape put himself in front of Hermione and said in a dangerous tone, "Miss Granger is very happy with what I pay her, thank you!" Grabbing Hermione's arm, he dragged her out of the store before she could even utter a reply.
They left quite close to dinner time and Snape decided it was a good idea to get something to eat. Ignoring her protests, he held her arm in a death grip and went to the Three Broomsticks, not at all aware of another pair of eyes watching their every move.
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"How dare you!" Hermione yelled slamming her hand on the small table at the Three Broomsticks. "You may be my boss, but you're not my father! I have the right to decide who I want to work for!"
"Miss Granger, you are MY employee, you have agreed to work for ME and if your word is worth anything, you have a responsibility to your actions. I'm not one of your little friends who you can manipulate every time you feel the need to," he said as Madam Rosmerta placed two bottles of butterbeer in front of them.
"How do you know I would accept her offer? You know nothing about me to make your petty judgments! However, after your distrust in my loyalty, I should just as well accept it!" she replied grabbing the butterbeer and drinking it.
He sighed and narrowed his eyes at her. "Would you like me to raise your salary, Miss Granger?"
She studied him carefully. "What makes you think I'm this desperate for money?"
"I know you've been looking for a job for a long time. The Headmaster commented on you asking for a position as Defense Against the Dark Arts' teacher. He would have given you that, if he hadn't promised it to someone else days earlier."
Hermione looked down at her drink.
"Look Miss Granger, I know how you need this job and you know by now that I am just as desperate. No one will accept working for me and if you leave, I ..." He looked as if he was having trouble letting the words out of his mouth. "I don't think I'll find anyone else to take care of Seirian."
"I can't imagine why..." she replied with a smirk.
He scowled at her. "Let's make a bargain, you work for me and in our spare time, I could allow you to be my apprentice. I do not believe you will find a better offer."
"Are you serious?" she couldn't hide her excitement.
"As absurd as it may be, yes. I advise you to accept it quickly before I change my mind," he said obviously regretting it already.
"It's a deal, Sir." She stretched her hand and he reluctantly shook it.
"Who's taking the Defense Against the Dark Arts Position, anyway?" she asked.
Snape's expression darkened and he sneered. "Let's just say, I would prefer Remus or even Lockhart any day."
"Is it that bad?"
"Sirius Black," he said through gritted teeth.
Hermione couldn't help but feel a rush of anger wash over her. She didn't hate Sirius, but to lose a job to him brought back all the resentment she had accumulated over the years.
When Sirius died at the Ministry in their fifth year, it came as a shock when almost two years later, he showed up at Hogwarts, only days before the last battle. Harry was beside himself to learn that Sirius had been hiding to protect himself until Dumbledore could clear his name, but mostly to protect Harry and help him focus on his goals to destroy Voldemort. Dumbledore thought that with Sirius out of the picture, Harry wouldn't act so much on his feelings and would fight Voldemort's access to his mind.
Hermione was happy for Harry, but she had mixed feelings about it. She had never told anyone, but Sirius wasn't really her favorite person. She was embarrassed to admit even to herself that she was glad when he was gone. It didn't matter what side he was on, she could see right through him. He was immature, irresponsible and selfish. The stories she learned later about his behavior in his school days, just made her dislike him even more. And she knew Snape wasn't the most pleasant being in the world, but she could understand his animosity toward the other man.
After Harry's death, Sirius withdrew and she barely saw him anymore.
She looked at Snape and barely able to hide her disappointment, she asked, "Is he reliable enough to be a teacher? I mean, I always thought he was a bit irresponsible."
Snape snorted. "Irresponsible is not the word I'd use, but I'm not known to speak in vulgar language in front of ladies... even if it's you," he replied dryly.
Hermione glared. "Now I'm flattered. How considerate of you, Professor."
He smirked. "Don't mention it."
Hermione's face lit up as she had a thought.
"I think I know a way to make this work to our mutual benefit," she said having that tingling feeling of too many ideas flowing at the same time.
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A/N: I want to thank Shauna for beta reading and Glinda for the helpful input. In this chapter I did something I never do which is resurrect Sirius Black. I wanted to add a character that would be really annoying and unpleasant and I don't think Remus would fit the description. Personally I don't like Sirius and I'll treat him as such in this story, I hope I don't cross anyone with that ;-)
Thanks to lucitdity, Parody-of-an-Angel, Pathatlon(i can't say much or it will ruin the fun for you guys), Minerva7, hp-lover-fifi(he doesn't really know but he will find out soon), risi, sweetytweety, mysticdarkraven, Arsinoe de Blassenville(you're right and she is good at everything she does), strega-in-progress(sorry LOL he is "Snape Sex God" anyway, but he wasn't thinking right at that moment if that's any consolation), sesshyluver03 and SVanWert(always glad to convert more into the HG/SS world) for reviewing, I'm glad this fic is getting this positive feedback. I hope I'm still meeting with everyone's expectations.