Hermione went downstairs to make the meal. After Snape seated himself, she made to go into the sitting room, which had become the custom.
"If you wish Granger you may sit here."
Hermione stood there stunned and indecisive, she had only occasionally felt lonely during her suppers but overall she liked the quiet.
"In or out girl."
Hermione went and sat down.
After several bites, Snape said absently, "This is unusual."
"I'm sorry Sir, I won't make it again. Do you want some eggs and toast?" She made to get up.
Irritated he said, "I did not say it was bad, simply different."
She sat down and began to eat.
"Is it difficult?"
"Not at all sir, you brown chicken pieces, and set them aside. Then in a frying pan take white wine and cook 5-6 diced Italian tomatoes. After 2-3 minutes add 1cup olives, 1 cup shelled pistachios and 1cup raisin, after a couple minutes more add back the chicken. Then cook it all together about 5 min until the chicken is done, and put it over cooked pasta."
"I simply asked if it was difficult. I did not ask however to be given a recitation from a recipe card. Still a know it all," he said, mumbling the last bit under his breath.
Hermione's eyes narrowed, trying with all she was worth not to defend herself to him. She noticed during this attempt, that there was an ever so slight lift in the man's lips, and then it was gone. She winced this was sport for him; 'He's infuriating!'
For a while, they ate in companionable silence.
"Master," she hated that title so much more than she hated 'sir', but he wanted it varied, "why hasn't the Ministry found you? They know this is your house."
Snape gave her a calculated look, took his napkin, dabbed the corners of his mouth, and placed it on his lap, never taking his eyes off Hermione. Who, afraid she had spoken out of turn was bighting her lip.
"We have apparated in and out, you have not been outside this house, correct?" Hermione nodded, "If you had been outside you would have seen a house burned down to the ground." He observed her puzzled face, and said; "Muggles see it as it truly is, while the wizarding world sees a wreck, in other words, opposite of Hogwarts."
Hermione digested this, it made sense, but she thought aloud, " Can't wizards sense the magic?"
"It's a modification of the Deletrius," he said curtly.
Hermione sensing the conversation was over ventured, "Sir if you don't mind I am going to go up and begin the room, it's only five I maybe able to get it done."
Snape appeared deep in thought, but gave a nod of consent.
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Hermione looked at the room, she had already had to leave once to vomit her dinner, after which she went down to get a dishcloth to cover her face and nose.
It was so disgusting it smelled of urine, rotten food, and a musty odor she had smelled on homeless people in the streets. There were torn sheets made into a nest, the mattress was at the base of it, while the bed frame stood empty in the corner. It was repulsive and inhuman.
She either had to get Snape's help, or do it herself and let him deduce her wandless skills. She wanted to do this and not beg for his help, but she had to keep some things as weapons, therefore she would have to approach him for help.
"Master, I was foolish to think I could do this initial part alone. You were right; it is beyond disgusting. I've already thrown up once. Master can you help me or perhaps, let me have my wand? Before you say no, couldn't you fix it so I could only do household spells."
"Girl do you think me an idiot?"
"No Sir"
"Were you not in my class in your sixth year?"
"Yes Sir," 'Oh no' thought Hermione 'I am so stupid.'
"You were one of the most proficient practitioners of wandless magic in that whole horrible class of dunderheads. Do it yourself; and Granger, you ever use that skill against me, and I will make you wish you were dead."
"Yes Master"
As Hermione was climbing the stairs feeling stupid she heard, " I was sure you were going to use it for your knickers." The girl blushed as she ascended.
After two Scourgifie's, she had gotten all of the solid refuse out of the room. She knew no spell for the remaining odor, and she was still wearing the towel over her face.
"Granger you look like a bandit from an old western."
" Excuse me sir, but do you have a book of household spells, I can't get rid of the stench."
To Hermione's surprise, Snape got up, walked up the stairs, and in about 1 minute came back down.
"I think you will find it has been taken care of."
Hermione ran upstairs; it was amazing she took off her dishtowel it smelled like nothing, just nothing. She ran downstairs.
"Sir how?"
"I am a potions master, getting rid of unwanted odors is part of my job." with that he continued to read.
She looked at him dumfounded and then went and got the paint primer.
"Sir I don't suppose you know a spell for painting."
"I may, but the work will be good for you."
"Humph," she picked up the paint and supplies and headed up stairs, missing the smirk on Snape's face at her departing.
Not wanting to get paint on her new clothes, she put on the big shirt and went to work. The room was not large and the priming took her only an hour.
Then she looked at the bed frame. It was brown and slightly rusted. She transformed it to white and like-new condition. Then after whispering a drying spell, she went down to get the rest of the paint.
Snape kept his nose in his book but looked at her side ways as she picked up the paint. The paint was all over her hair, face, shirt, and legs. 'She changed her clothes', he thought. She also seemed to look different in the shirt then before. He had made it a point not to look or think about her unless he had to, because she was a constant reminder of the tightrope on which he was so precariously balancing. Now he looked at her legs and then looked away in a fane disinterest, but it took him a moment to find his place in the book.
Hermione painted the room a light coral pink, and the warmth to the room was immediate. She went down stairs again, grabbing her blanket and pillow from the couch.
"Master do you have any sheets?" He looked at her puzzled, "For my bed sir."
"In the closet at the top of the stairs."
"Thank you Sir," She went into the cupboard and got a mop, charming it to clean the floor while she was doing other things.
Several sheets and a quilt were in the upstairs closet. Transforming her couch blanket into a mattress, she put it on the spring frame. She changed one sheet into a mattress pad; then put on the fitted sheet and made it the lightest pinky coral. She did the same for the top sheet. Finally, she looked at the quilt, it was older but not thread bear, and it had the colors of the room. She left it as it was and added the pillow. It looked good but the walls were blank.
Thinking 'under the eves, facing the door', she moved the bed. Then drawing an abstract on the wall, and framing said 'masterpiece" with brown paint, she stood back pleased. It really warmed up the room. She had watched a lot of TV decorating shows the last time she was home, and remembered them doing something like this. It worked.
Now that the floor was clean, she took the chair she painted on and transfigured it to a small comfy chintz rocker. In the corner with a transformed lamp, it made a nice reading nook.
Standing in the middle of the room Hermione looked around with satisfaction, it was really inviting and warm.
Then abruptly she broke into tears and fell on the bed, overcome with one thought that was crashing through her mind 'What a stupid thing, what am I trying to accomplish, it makes no sense … I'm going to die no matter what.' She fell on the bed feeling it had all been an excise in denial and futility.
Snape was curious. He no longer heard the thumping around, so he climbed the stairs, and turned into the room. He was shocked to say the least, it was … was 'well' he thought, 'the word could only be cozy.' He saw his mother's quilt, 'what right does she have …' It reminded him of his grandmother, who had passed it down to his mother. He had to admit it looked very nice in the room.
Hermione was on the bed crying.
"Why are you crying Granger, it is much improved."
"It's stupid, I should have just cleaned it and slept in it, but I had to fuss, I had to like it. Why, to sleep in it for a week before I die? … Stupid, just stupid!" She looked up and Snape was gone. She got ready for bed and fell asleep; thinking, 'at least it was an improvement from the couch.'
Snape didn't sleep. 'What was he going to do with her? He had gained her trust with the shopping trip and letter, and then he let her sit with him. Why he had softened on that he didn't know. 'She's right' he thought, 'her actions tonight had made no sense, but in the end does beauty ever make sense.'
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Hermione woke, more chipper. The room couldn't help but do that; she put on her clothes, went downstairs and began breakfast. 'Just simple this morning' she thought, 'some baked frozen croissants and coffee.'
Snape walked in, and sat down. She poured him a cup of coffee, set the pastry, jam, and butter in front of him, and went to get her own to sit down with him.
"What are you doing, you can't sit here unless invited."
She froze confused; things had been going so well, her eyes swelled with tears.
"Spare me your tears, leave now."
She left and went to her room, not taking any breakfast with her.
Snape stared at the doorway for quite a few minutes after she left.
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She was bored and hungry, but wanted to stay out of his way. So she snuck downstairs, the main room was empty. 'He must be in the lab.' She quick made him a sandwich put it out with milk and the chocolate chip cookies she had made the day before, and then cast a stasis spell. She made the same lunch for herself, grabbed a book, and went to her room.
Snape came up the stairs an hour later, expecting to have to yell at her to get down and do her duty, but as he made his way into the kitchen to wash his hands, he saw his lunch out, milk cold.
'She must have put a stasis spell on it', his stomach lurched, but not from hunger, he squelched it. To play both sides he had to keep her off balance, but admittedly, it was getting difficult.
Upstairs Hermione thought, I shouldn't be treated like this, if he were dead, I could find my wand and get out. She went to the bathroom and got the can of shrimp, she shrunk it and put it in her pocket. She would try the direct approach first, but she didn't like being jerked around.
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She came down the stairs that evening and saw Snape reading in front of the fire. She came in and knelt down in front of him. 'I am manipulating him' she thought, 'I am not his slave.' She put her occulmency shields up.
"Master, I have displeased you."
Silence
"What have I done?"
"You use occulmency, your lessons have paid off. You are angry and do not want me to see."
Hermione could feel the can in her pocket; 'I can do this.'
Snape thought quickly and went for the obvious. "You used my grandmother's quilt without asking. You over stepped, you only asked for sheets. It is a family heirloom."
Hermione looked up into his eyes. He could see she was sorry.
"I didn't know master, I will transform something else and put it back."
"Do not, that is not the point, you failed to ask my permission, and reminded me of your filthy mudblood ways."
Hermione looked down with furry.
"Don't ask me what is wrong and get angry when I respond. Get out of my sight, until you learn some control."
That was it; she got up and yelled at him, "CONTROL, you don't even know the definition. I have played your game, been your maid, so kill me, or go to hell you bastard." She made to kick him in the face, but he caught her foot and in moment had her pinned on the floor.
"Do you really want to see how well I can play this 'game' as you call it?" He held her arms above her head with one hand, while pinning her legs down with his lower body, and then he slapped her hard across the face. She recovered quickly and spit on him. He slapped her again. She was so angry she barely felt the blows, but she could feel his excitement as he pressed against her stomach.
"Is this what you do for kicks Snape, hit women?" He looked first at her chest heaving and then at her lips. He wanted her, … now. 'Do this and your plans are ruined Snape! They'll be able to tell if she's significantly obliviated.'
He got up off her quickly and went into the kitchen. Hermione in turn went to her room, vowing to kill him, somehow.
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Later that night, Snape grabbed her out of her sleep and apparated.
He threw her down and kneeled.
"What is your progress Severus?" the Dark Lord hissed.
"It is in the final stages my Lord."
"I feel hate rolling off of your mudblood, do you have her in line."
Hermione was thinking of Snape hitting her, when she felt a prickle in her mind … it was gone.
"I see she is earning your rough ways, show me more." Voldemort directed his legilimens on the man kneeling in front of him, "Severus you do not disappoint. I only wish you were the type to give a live demonstration."
Hermione's breath caught.
"But I know your feelings concerning this, and my gratitude allows for your preference."
"Thank you my Lord … you will be pleased with the project, I am sure."
"I am counting on it. Now Severus, let us have a glimpse of the mudblood, Divesto."
Hermione was suddenly nude and covering herself. Severus flinched, only minutely.
"Imperio … show yourself, and come here." Hermione put her arms down and walked glaze eyed to Voldemort. She climbed the stairs of his throne. She could hear the hoops and hollers behind her from the other Death Eaters in the room. She stood in front of him, sick and unable to deny him. He ran his reptilian finger all the way down her front and then the back grabbing her. She didn't try to throw off the curse, it would accomplish nothing.
"She is delectable, I have paid you well my servant. Take her before I do more and neglect my gift to you" he said staring at Hermione with dangerous lust.
"Yes my Lord." Snape took her, wrapped his cloak around her and with a "finite incantatem" they apparated.
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She just sat there in the sitting room, completely done in. She could feel the Snake's hand all over her. Suddenly it felt like everything was closing in; she ran upstairs as fast as she could. She went to the bathroom and slammed the door taking one of the longest showers of her life, part water, and part tears.
Snape heard the shower start, and then stop an hour later. He was worried about his footing on the tightrope. Severus' anger was deep inside, he barely registered that he wanted to kill the Dark Lord for touching her … for touching what was his. He made some soup for her as a good will offering.
"Granger,"
She was in her bed facing away, she acknowledge nothing.
"I brought you some soup," he hesitated; he had to regain her trust. "You ask why I do what I do; … I need things to take to him to make him believe I am treating you poorly. Surely, you see how well that worked."
Nothing.
Hermione heard him but it was at a distance, finally he left.
The next morning she was in the kitchen. She took toast and coffee and went to her room. Lunch and dinner were the same; it went on for days. She said nothing, but the shrimp was in her pocket reminding her of her options.
He hadn't seen her, but the meals were there without fail. He would notice tombs of fiction, potions, and transfiguration missing. He had momentarily forgotten what a brilliant mind he was dealing with; it would be folly to underestimate her.
Ever since that night at the Riddle house, he would hear her thrash and moan off and on through the night. It was during one of these nightmares Severus quietly entered her room. She was distressed. He leaned in, " Don't let them look at me, don't let them touch me. Snape …" These last words were said in a whisper. Snape's eyebrows rose, he shook his head, and felt he had failed.
He thought back to that night and his disgust with the Dark Lord's display.
He had seen him do this countless times with other mudbloods, raping them right there, in front of everyone. So, when the Dark Lord asked to see her, his pulse had sped rapidly. He had hated the low lusty sounds from the other Death Eaters behind him. Every impulse in his being cried, 'take what is yours and apparate away.'
After the Divesto he looked up at her stunned, she was beautiful, truly beautiful. His eyes did not meet hers, she was looking away, but even ashamed and frightened she was a natural beauty. His eyes drifted past her scared, shamed face and long neck, downward. He caught his breath she was stunning.
He wanted her. As this thought almost rose to his conscious, the Dark Lord cast the Imperio.
He remembered his stomach clenching as she walked away, her long hair flowing out in volume over the perfect cleft running down her spine. Snape held his breath and watched as she stood in front of the Dark Lord with her eyes glazed.
Snape saw him run his finger down her front and back; at the time, there had been a silent primal call that said 'MINE!' and that even now echoed in his chest.
It had taken all of his self-control to not grab, cover and apparate her, but he forced himself to play it cool and act distant. He put on a feral grin as he took her arm; but in a direction, the Dark Lord couldn't see or hear he covered her as she collapsed into his arms and whispered in his lowest voice almost to himself. "Shh I'm here" and apparated.
In the parlor, she had looked in shock, but then suddenly ran up the stairs naked.
He blinked away the memories and looked down at her. When her hair dried in curls, he thought it was … it was quite, … Instead of completing his thought he reached out and touched a ringlet, it was soft, and he bent and smelled it. 'Just clean', he thought. He closed his eyes. She moved. He quickly jumped back letting the curl drop from his hand. She rolled on her side. Snape turned and left disgusted with himself.