Disclaimer:-The plot is mine,however, I neither own nor earn anything from this story.Harry Potter and his world are the intellectual property of J.K. Rowling and her affiliates.
A/N:- A huge thank you to, Golden Asp, for her beta work on this chapter.
oOo
Chapter Four – Time for Revenge
Hermione spent the next three weeks acclimatising to a different side of Hogwarts. She was happy with her apprenticeship and couldn't wait for term to start in September. Severus chuckled at her enthusiasm, but cautioned her that she would think differently once term started, but she didn't want to believe him.
It was strange to her that one of the best teachers she'd had at Hogwarts should appear to hate teaching so much. She smiled at him, suspecting that it was exactly the opposite to this. Otherwise he would have moved on after the war.
Then there was the difference between the private Severus and the public front of Professor Snape, and this was even more fascinating to her. In public he was still the dour and staid Potions Master, nothing had changed. However, in private he was a passionate and gentle man, who would have gathered the stars from the sky for her if he could.
He still had his moods and she learnt quickly how to soothe him when possible, and even quicker when to just let him be. Hermione didn't mind this because being snarky was part of being Severus Snape and she wouldn't want him any other way, and she found that she was very content with the state of things.
xox
Approximately one month after the graduation ball, Ginny Weasley Floo-called Minerva McGonagall latish one evening with a seemingly urgent request. The young woman informed her former Head of House that she, Lavender Brown, Harry, and Ron, needed to come through into her office.
Curious about her haste and apparent displeasure, but always pleased to catch up with members of her own house, Minerva ushered them straight through. To her astonishment both witches came through each wearing a Bubblehead Charm, and the reason was instantly apparent when two very sullen looking wizards followed behind them.
Even years of dealing with magical mishaps and sick children as Head of Gryffindor had not prepared Minerva for the disgusting odour that was quickly permeating every corner of her office. Pleasant greetings were dispensed with as Minerva found herself gasping for breath. "Merlin's baggy britches! Whatever is that stench?"
"That delightful odour is this pair of fools," Ginny stated sarcastically, as she pointed to Harry and Ron. "May we speak with Professor Snape? Please!"
The headmistress merely nodded, unwilling to open her mouth and inhale more putrid air.
Seeing her former head of house's discomfort, Lavender offered, "The Bubblehead Charm is the only way we can get within ten feet of them. It works well, ma'am."
"Duly noted, Miss Brown, thank you." The headmistress waved her wand, and instantly sighed in relief as she purified her air supply, and an urgent request was sent for Severus.
xox
The missive sailed through the Floo and hovered insistently in front of an instantly irritated Potions Master. He'd been sitting back in his chair, his hips thrust slightly forwards as he slowly melted in pleasure.
His eyes rose from watching Hermione's wild curls bobbing gently with the activities of her mouth. Severus plucked the note out of the air in a swiping movement, his eyes narrowed. The movement made Hermione pause, and his groan of pleasure changed to one of annoyance.
The mood was instantly ruined. "Bloody hell, will this lot never learn timing? I was enjoying that," he sulked, handing the note to his lover.
"So was I," Hermione offered sighing. She read the missive, and instantly knew what it was so she rose to her feet as she read. Looking down at his now flagging erection she promptly grinned. "There's always later, darling, and we have been planning for this moment all month."
Severus was still looking petulant, so she climbed on to straddle his lap. Kissing up to his ear she whispered, "Oh, poor darling. Once we've had our fun with Harry and Ron, we could go to our rooms." Then she raised an eyebrow, very much in the style of the man she was talking to. "I could put on the tiny winy little leather skirt," and she giggled breathily in his ear as she heard him stifle of groan of interest. Then sucking on his ear lobe, she added, "And maybe the crotchless knickers you bought me. Is there anything else you would like?" Her voice was a purr as she kept kissing and nipping his jaw and ear, her gently swaying hips sweeping her centre rhythmically against his exposed manhood, and she giggled melodiously when she felt his renewed interest against the lace of her underwear.
Pulling her in for a heated kiss, Severus caught himself mentally thanking whatever deity was responsible for turning his blushing virgin of a month ago into the willing to learn wanton sex goddess now teasing him so perfectly with her womanly wiles. "It all sounds lovely," he said, sighing as he released her lips. "So I suppose we had best attend to business, come," he huffed gruffly, as he carefully and very reluctantly pushed her to her feet following her up. "It appears that it's going to be a very interesting night, my princess," he said, watching Hermione gently taking him in hand then doing up his pants for him. "You're damn lucky you were able to manage that," he said, his voice pitched at the depth he knew drove her wild; he couldn't help just a little pay back. and when he heard her obligingly moan, he chuckled, and one eyebrow rose. "Shall we?"
However, the Potions Master really hadn't expected the garbled burst of words he received. "I will admit to being torn," she bit her lip. "I've been ready for revenge on these two for years, especially Ron; he's used me mercilessly, without any thanks." She drew a nervous breath. "But maybe we had different expectations out of the friendship. Was it a friendship? May be not..."
"Shh, love," Severus said, placed his finger on her lips. "When you were students together, is it true that they expected you to share homework with them without reciprocating?" A nod. "Then did they not dump you at every opportunity when someone they were enamoured with turned up?" A sigh this time and then a nod. "Have they ever even acknowledged your help and support?"
"Well Harry has… sort of." Then her lip went between her teeth as Severus gave her a hard look. "No," she sighed.
"Then the ball, that was the definitive piece of evidence for their callousness."
Her eyes instantly glittered dangerously. "Yes, they do deserve this. Don't they?"
"That's my girl, find your newly acquired Slytherin side, love, and let's kick their arses," Severus took her hand and started walking towards the door.
"Although, I am feeling just a little guilty for inflicting the revenge on Ginny and Lavender as well."
Looking at Hermione worrying her lip about something new, he sighed. "Don't, I'm certain they'll see the funny side when you explain, and especially when they get to watch."
"I know but..."
He lifted her face to his. "But nothing, you'll enjoy this."
"You're right of course."
"Of course, I am. I'm always right," he stated imperiously.
She smacked his arm. "Smartarse Slytherin."
"Oh, delicious Gryffindor. I'll have to make you pay for being so cheeky later," his eyebrow rose commandingly.
Hermione felt a gush of moisture and a curl of flame in her belly. "Oh yes, please," she moaned, then coquettishly giggled and wiggled her backside at him as she took off out the door, but the sound of his strides in pursuit made her even more needy. Oh, sweet Circes, he's perfect... Simply perfect.
She loved this game; Severus never chased her, just pursued her like a predator, eventually his long strides catching her half-hearted run.
xox
Severus caught up with Hermione the floor before Minerva's office, and she was backed, into the closest alcove and received a sound kissing against the wall. However, when she curled her leg around him to draw him in closer he said, "We best keep going."
Hermione could hear his reluctance in his words and she had the urge to grind her hips against his to make him reconsider. However, reason told her that they needed to deal with Harry and Ron now. Pleasure was going to have to wait, and suddenly she saw his point as she realised that she also hated this interruption, even though this was to prove an important point.
xox
Entering the Headmistress' office the pair took in the scene. Minerva, Ginny and Lavender all stood off to one side each encased in the relief of the Bubblehead Charm, obviously so they could breathe clean air without their eyes watering, and the latter two were wearing truly ugly expressions.
Severus and Hermione instantly employed the same method of relief as soon as their noses had taken in the full extent of the problem, and Hermione heard Severus breathe an oath under his breath. She glanced at him, but became lost at how graceful and suave he could look even with his head encased in a ridiculous bubble.
The greetings were curt all round, and Severus glared menacingly at everyone. "What the hell is the meaning of this? We had to leave unfinished tasks in my office to come here."
He curled his lip in distaste, and staring pointedly at Harry and Ron, he stated smoothly, "I take it you two have been bathing in flobberworm shit. Hence the smell."
"Severus!" Minerva admonished, but it came out half-heartedly, and it became obvious that she was having difficulty stifling a smirk at his comment. "It happened in the line of duty," she said finally.
"Well, I didn't think they'd done it for recreational reasons," and his glare turned full-force onto the two trainee Aurors again. He was happy to note that despite the fact they were full grown men they still quailed under its intensity.
"Since when is it an Auror's job to wallow in excrement? Mmm," and his eyebrow sailed up as his question ascended in pitch. Then abruptly he grinned nastily. "Oh, and you need my assistance," and he stood there smirking widely.
Ron was suddenly moving towards the Floo. "Shove your bloody help, Snape, you miserable bastard! I'm not that desperate," he yelled.
Ginny looked when Lavender didn't intervene, and she saw a look of apprehension on her face. Damn his speckled arse, he treats Lav very badly, looks like we need to have another intervention. I wish she'd see that there are other options and she's better then this," Ginny thought heatedly, but she was not allowing her mangy brother to spoil Harry's chances of getting deodorised, and she turned on Ron.
"Stand your ground Ronald Billius Weasley, and get your miserable arse back over here!" she barked at him, and took over completely knowing that this was not going to be sorted out any other way. Her hands went to her hips and she addressed them both. "I don't care if you two have to get on your knees. Get that cure," and the irate witch looked to Minerva. "I mean, even if it was in the line of duty, what fool doesn't know that flobberworm manure contains a bacteria that can only be removed by a specific process and a potion."
Then she turned to her fiancé. "And for what, all this was in aid of a bum steer. Dark Wizard activity, my arse," and she snorted. "What were they, cross dressing Death Eaters? All you have to show for this mess is one red shoe."
At this comment Hermione almost lost it, and she had to hide behind Severus to clamp down on the smirk she felt rising.
Severus stood with his arms crossed on his chest. "Tsk, tsk, Weasley. Insulting your only means of a cure is hardly likely to be a smart move, boy."
However, Ron looked at the grin on Severus' face and saw red. He took the opportunity of his sister drawing breath, and he cut in, blustering on, and in the process digging himself in deeper. "I can't eat without smelling this stench," and he moved closer and hissed through his teeth. "And that bitch wouldn't even let me in the bedroom," he seethed, tossing his thumb towards a very pensive looking Lavender.
Snape glared down his hawk-like nose at the red head, a little shocked at the boy's words, not that it showed. "Indeed, Weasley. Your nocturnal pursuits… or the lack there of, are of no interest to me, and he smirked evilly.
Ron then turned to Hermione. "'Mione, make him see sense," he demanded, blinking owl-like at her. "This isn't fair."
Sensing her moment, Hermione steeled herself. "So, Ronald, what isn't fair then? At the Graduation Ball you and Harry were thoughtless and just plain rude to Severus and I, and so far, neither of you have thought to offer even a simple apology for being so tactless…" Her gaze turned to Harry, "Or concede that you were mistaken," and Hermione fixed him with a steady stare. "Now you wish me to intercede with Severus for you, when you can't even give either of us the decency of a kind word," and she glared at them both.
Ron continued to look dumbfounded, but Harry watched her eyes shift to him. He could see where she was going with this. Then she asked the question that clinched it for him.
"Why should I help you?"
Yes, she was going to make them pay, and even though Ron still blinked at her dumbly as she started to speak again, Harry knew what this was about now.
"Because, good little 'Mione always comes through?" she said in a false sugar-sweet voice, and her lips tightened in irritation when Ron nodded vaguely and looked to Harry.
"Because 'Mione's one of the good old boys," she went on as she slapped her hand on her thigh to demonstrate their supposed camaraderie. At this point she noticed that Ron's mouth was starting to gap open. "Or, could it be that, as long as you get your own way, you don't care? As usual!"
Hermione gathered herself up and pinned them with a measured gaze. "No!" she stated unequivocally. "I will not help you this time!" and she was about to continue when Ron cut across her.
"What do you mean, no… Geez 'Mione, don't be like that," he whined.
Hermione flinched. She hated that name said like that, but he continued to be oblivious to her growing ire.
"Can't you smell us, you have to help us."
"Ron," Ginny started, in warning that he should stop talking instantly. She'd also caught on. "Hermione has got a point. You two have taken her for granted over the years."
"Yes, I agree," Lavender chimed in nodding, but moving closer to Ginny as she said it.
Harry looked around the room, and sighed. There was no other way, and seeing this he swallowed hard and caved. "Come on, mate. We need to get this thing sorted," he said to Ron.
Ron's eyes narrowed, and his face turned a mottled red, and his eyes turned to Severus and he swallowed thickly. "I guess so," he stated meekly, in contrast to his fierce expression.
The Potions Master showed his usual expressionless countenance, but said, "I think Hermione deserves better friends than you two, don't you?"
Hermione smiled a grateful glance that showed her respect and love for him to every person in the room.
Harry sighed. "Yes," he said. "I'm sorry, Hermione," he said softly. "I can see now how wrong I was," and he turned to Severus. "My apologies, sir."
Severus continued to watch the Gryffindor wizard. "Accepted, Mister Potter," he stated, but a glance at the boy's dunderheaded companion told him that he was still dumbly ignorant of things. He gave Harry as single nod in response to his words, and shifted his attention back to Hermione. He pulled her close, in an uncharacteristic display, and he whispered, "Make your exit, Princess, I'll deal with them from here." He kissed her cheek and then her forehead. "See you soon, sweetheart."
Straightening, his eyes looked past her wearing a challenging expression, but even Ron was not that reckless, and the redhead just turned his scowl on Lavender. "You better let me in the bedroom tonight. See what I'm going through for you?"
Ginny snorted. "You mean you want to keep smelling like that?"
He scowled at his sister. "Shut it, Gin. This is none of your business."
"Well, I'm making it my business," she replied. "Lavender is our friend, and you can't treat her this way."
Hermione turned her attention back to the room, wondering what she'd missed in the last month because she'd been living away from her friends in a new relationship, but of course, now wasn't the time to open that subject, and she took a deep breath, looking at the other witches in the room. "Come, ladies, I'll escort you to our observation deck."
"Ob-b-ser... Hey, what are you two up to?" Ron stuttered angrily.
Hermione ignored his question. Is he always this angry with everything? she wondered. Why have I not noticed this before? She thought as she ushered Ginny and Lavender towards the door. She also noted that Ginny was holding Lavender's hand, but she wasn't going to bring that up right now either. She glanced at Harry and saw him watching them with a calm expression on his face, and she knew that she definitely did not know the full details. To cover her surprise, she turned back towards Minerva. "Would you like to come with us, ma'am?"
However, Minerva's answer was interrupted when Ron cut across her rudely.
"I don't know how, but you two have cooked this up to make us look stupid," he accused, waggling his finger at them wildly.
"To make you look stupid, Weasley?" Severus replied incredulously, and snorted a laugh. The derision in his tone was unmistakable, and there was a slight sneer present on his face. "You don't need any assistance in that department," he scoffed.
Hermione knew she needed to get out of there quickly before she said something that would drop her in it. She gave Minerva another glance, indicating that she was still waiting for her answer, but she also started out the door as she did so.
The headmistress sighed. "No, you young people go ahead. I think it's time for an old woman to go to bed, good night," and it was obvious in her statement that she had also worked out what was happening here and was planning to turn a blind eye to it.
xox
Once the three witches were gone, Minerva bid the men good night. "I trust you to lock up after you've finished, Severus," she said, and started towards her quarters.
"Certainly, Minerva," Severus stated, and then turned his attention to the two young men. He was mentally calculating how long it would take Hermione to get up to the astronomy tower, or at least away from where they would encounter her on their own journey through the castle. The smirking Potions Master saw both men gulp as he looked at them. "You're very lucky, I have prepared ahead," he told them, and he was gratified that they both looked very ill. "You see, I'd already heard of your predicament."
"What?" Harry asked.
Closely followed by Ron demanding, "How?"
Severus rolled his eyes and tsked, as he shook his head slightly. "My, my, you boys certainly still have a limited vocabulary. I see being Aurors hasn't improved that, what a pity."
He watched with pleasure as Ron shrank away from him again, but he was interested to see Harry stood his ground. "You see, if I were you, I would be more interested in the process required to rid yourself of your little infestation, and not the how or why."
Severus pursed his lips as he watched them processing this piece of information. "Oh well, never fear, you will find out soon enough. Follow me!" He then took off amid billowing robes, the office door cracking back against the wall as he marched through it in his fastest stride. He didn't stop on the stairs either, he strode down them dismissing the gargoyles as he approached them with a wave of his hand.
xox
As the party walked out the front doors of the castle at the same blistering pace, Severus dispensed with the Bubblehead Charm. I hate that charm, necessary as it is sometimes, but I still hate it. However, he was willing to inhale the stench now they were in the open air because his keen ears had picked up on a muttered conversation going on behind him, and he wanted to listen.
Ron gulped. "What do s'pose he meant?"
Harry shrugged. "Buggered if I know, I just want this over. If this is the only revenge Hermione is going to exact out of me, when I think about it, I've gotten off lightly."
"Revenge?" Ron gulp. The thought that this was revenge had never occurred to him, but then he said something incredibly stupid. "You must be joking? That's Snape in front of us," he hissed in a whisper.
"So," Harry replied. "We're lucky he's helping us, mate."
But Ron just didn't seem to be able to stop himself. "Helping us? No, Harry. He's the bat of the dungeons… fwup fwup fwup," and Ron made flapping batwing noises to go with his hand movements. "You know, the greasy git. He'll probably cut us up for potions ingredient."
Severus stiffened as he walked; that description still hurt. He was just about to turn and flay the flesh from Weasley's bones when he heard something he never thought he'd hear, so he controlled himself and listened.
Harry seemed to snap. "Have some bloody respect, you moron. His name is Professor Snape, and he is Hermione's partner. If she loves him we've obviously missed something, because she's never going to be in a relationship unless she's happy, and I've never seen her looking happier." He drew breath. "Haven't you fathomed yet that it's possible his dungeon bat persona is just that, and that it was what kept us all alive during the war. You should be bloody grateful. Besides, we're all supposed to be adults now, so stop acting like such a prat and grow up," and in his anger, Harry had given up all pretence of whispering.
"Hey, what's got into you? It's not like this is my fault," Ron said.
As they continued to walk, Severus rolled his eyes at the depth of the boy's idiocy, while also being blown away by Potter's grasp of the situation, and more so his obvious support.
They walked on, and there was utter silence behind Severus now, as apparently Harry thought it was useless attempting to talk to Ron anymore. The only sound was their boots on the gravel path.
xox
Hermione had led her friends to The Astronomy Tower and settled them comfortably. It was when she produced wine, a selection of cheese and fruit, and three pair of small Omnioculars that they sussed her out completely.
"You have set them up, haven't you?" Ginny declared, eyeing Hermione thoughtfully a moment, and then smiling as she saw a sly little smile tickling the corner of Hermione's mouth. "I knew it, you devious, brilliant cow," and the redhead broke out into an enormous grin. "I wish you'd have let me in on it," she finished, pulling a startled Hermione into tight hug.
"So, what's Professor Snape got installed for them?" Lavender asked, finally joining in.
"We've planned this very carefully, sit back and watch. It's nothing more than a little embarrassment for them," Hermione told them. "Although, I was worried you'd both hex me when you found out. I feel badly about what you've had to put up with."
"Typical," Ginny held Hermione at arm's length and shook her slightly, "You worry too much, darling."
Hermione giggled. "Severus tells me that all the time."
Lavender scowled. "You won't get an argument from me either. I'd forgotten what a prick Ron could be sometimes. I'm just about over him." But then she quickly turned to Hermione. "But it's got nothing to do with this," she added, and seemed to brighten, launching into the next most obvious topic. "So, what is life like with the scariest teacher in Hogwarts?"
Hermione grinned and all three roared with laughter. "Severus is brilliant, and very particular in every aspect of life. He looks after me exactly how I'd always thought he would," and she sighed.
"So, Potions is not the only thing he's fastidious about then?" Ginny asked, and laughed when Hermione blushed slightly.
Ginny's eyebrows rose. "The three of us must have a girl's night soon. I want juicy details." Then the redhead thought a minute. "Although, I can't say that it surprises me; he's such a control freak," and Ginny nodded in agreement at her own statement.
Lavender smiled mischievously. "Is he like that in the bedroom as well?"
Hermione's grin widened; she was unable to stop the expression from blooming on her face. "He's just the most amazing man I know, he makes every molecule of me quiver, but he is also an intensely private man, so I'm not going to kiss and tell."
Another round of laughter followed this declaration. "Oh, come on. We want details," Ginny said told her.
Hermione laughed in return, but as her eyes panned towards Lavender, and she worried about what her friend was not saying about Ron.
oOo
Below, is the A/N I'd originally put at the end of this story (with some slight grammar and punctuation corrections). I've decided to split this last chapter in two and embellish (also possibly augmenting it in the process along the lines of the original A/N) :-) I've already added some things to this chapter to allow it to continue how I want it to.
Authors note: - This was an interesting story to write. I may consider a sequel at some point in the future. I think I'd like to explore this universe a little more. Perhaps I might skip forward to the Severus and Hermione's wedding and see how things are travelling for them all.
Since this is the final chapter for this story. I wish to thank everyone who has read, reviewed, and made me their favourite story and or author. You have all made my first step into the world of fanfiction writing a very satisfying one. (Remember, this was my first forage into fanfiction.)
Thank you for reading,
Regards,
One Red Shoe.