Disclaimer:- I neither own nor earn anything from this story, Written purely for the love of the characters and situation.

sSs

A/N:- This story is a gift for Petite Mule, who gave me the very interesting prompt, available on my profile page if you wish to see it.

I would like to take this opportunity to stress once more, that this story has NO ties to Canon, and should not be read as such. Any comments I receive that inform me that I've mixed up Harry and Draco, or that there is, -no way these characters would behave like this,- will be ignored.

I'm introducing a new character in this chapter, Theodore Lestrange, son of Bellatrix and Rodolphus. Rodolphus has been killed though at some time before the point of this story, so Bellatrix is now a merry widow type character. Who, in this alternative reality is decadent and very frank, but definitely not evil nor insane. I hope you will give her a chance before you slam your minds closed on her.

About the middle of this chapter I have placed (1), to those familiar with my work you will know where to look for the piece of music that accompanies this scene, for those who don't it will be in my end notes, usually along with a recommended track on you tube.

hHh

Chapter Two – Maybe This Is Wrong

It was almost the end of January now, but despite the freezing winter temperature outside, the young woman working over the large cauldron, was actually over-heating. A combination of the environmental control charms on the rooms within the castle, and the heat emanating from the fire under the large vessel they used for the Hospital brews. This discomfort, however, was then only secondary to the intensity of the goosebumps running up and down her in little ripples of sensation.

Hermione Granger had never felt anything like this before. Over the last month, her Potions master had been slowly infiltrating every one of her senses. She had grown to love their times together, but also to almost fear the sway he seemed to unconsciously have over her. In him, she found a mind equal to her own, someone able to discuss anything with her.

However, the thing that mystified her was her physical responses to him. They occurred every time he hovered near her, as he was now, reducing her to a stuttering puddle of flustered excitement. He was close enough behind her for his fragrance to be intensified by the heat from the cauldron, and it ensnared her completely. The rustle of his robes filled her ears and the heat of him, sent a pulse straight to her core. Nothing had ever excited her like this.

As she stirred the large cauldron, the young woman fought not to simply lean back into what she was certain would be the heaven of his chest, and it was this very thought that caused her great consternation. For one thing, she had never had a thought like that before, and for another, it felt very much like cheating on Ron.

Even if she wasn't very satisfied with Ron, and she was confused because he had never made her feel like this. As she kept stirring, she considered, At least Ron's real and not a sophisticated Slytherin that will never look at me seriously anyway. But, her mind was completely taken by the haze of lust she was currently feeling. The sudden sound of a tinkling bell snapped her attention back to the room.

Snape moved, and coldness enveloped her back. He muttered something under his breath before addressing her. "I shan't be long, when the brew is finished bottle it."

With that he disappeared into his office. As she continued to stir, Hermione was certain she could hear him speaking to someone. The now obvious female voice suddenly became shrill. Then it abruptly went quiet, and she heard no more. The brew finished, she waited for it to cool enough to bottle, while she cleaned up. It was still only early, and she wondered if there was anything else he wished her to do.

Hermione glanced towards the office door, he still had not returned, and it had been quite some time. Looking again, the Gryffindor witch wondered if she should knock. She breathed a sigh of relief when the door knob finally turned, and he put his head around the door. As he did this, she noticed there was still a female voice, and it sounded quiet close to the door. Why couldn't I hear that before, could he have been using a silencing charm?

"Is there anything further you wish me to do?" Hermione inquired.

"No, that will be all tonight, something has… err come up that requires my immediate attention."

Hermione caught a peel of giggling, and greatly confused, she said, "Oh, okay, sir. Good night."

"Good night, Miss Granger." Hermione collected her belongings and made for the door, pondering why the feared and straight laced Potions master had a giggling female in his office.

xox

The next week was hectic, and the incident the previous Friday slipped from her mind. Harry had handed her more work to do than she thought he should again, she didn't mind helping him with his work. But she actually suspected that he was asking her to do more than that lately. When she had spoken to him about it, he assured her it was only this one time, and it was because they had Quidditch, but this was happening more and more lately.

Even though this had not sat well with her, she had completed the work. However, now he had just landed another pile in her lap, with less than a thank you for the last lot. She was left sitting at the Gryffindor table in the Great hall in surprise and sudden anger. These feelings intensified when she was roughly grabbed by Ron, right in front of everyone and had her lips assaulted by an almost brutal and uncaring kiss.

This time however, as he clapped her hard on the shoulder, it was she who had the urge to wipe away his saliva and there was tears stinging her eyes. She almost felt violated by his manhandling, it had been so callous. This feeling only intensified as she thought about it, and especially when she tasted the coppery tang of blood in her mouth, where he'd pushed one of her teeth through her lip. This feels so, is so wrong, what's wrong with him? It was almost like the kiss was a reward for accepting the work, but that couldn't be right, could it?

Terribly confused by what had just happened, Hermione glanced down at what Harry was asking her to complete, it was the Potions essay Professor Snape had set on the uses and preparation methods of Mandragora. Surely he knew this was simply revision.

A pair of dark eyes had watched the whole incident, and especially Hermione's reaction to it. Snape had to fight himself to stop the hex forming on his lips, until he smirked slyly as a delicious idea occurred to him. He was sitting close enough to see what had been thrust at her, and had recognised the homework. Here's my chance to start kitten's education.

xox

Before she knew it, it was Friday night again, and Hermione was on her way down to the Dungeons to be her professor's assistant.

Tonight when she entered, the Potions master was sitting at his desk marking. His lips started to twitch into a smile, and cocking his head to one side, Severus greeted her. "Good evening, Miss Granger, I have two special assignments for you tonight."

"Yes, sir," the young woman replied dutifully, ready for the work she so enjoyed.

Replacing his quill in the ink pot, Snape rose from his desk. "Very well, Miss Granger, sit here."

"Pardon, sir?"

"Surely, I was plain. Sit here."

"I'm sorry, sir. That's what I thought you said." She looked at him quizzically and sat.

"Miss Granger, I wish you to look at three seventh year essays please. I have obscured the handwriting and the names, I will leave you to read them and I want your opinion when I return."

Severus placed the essays in front of her. Hermione sat quietly and read them, the three essays were identical, except one seemed to stop abruptly about two thirds the way through.

When her professor returned, he had shed his robes and frock coat. She had never seen him without them. He also had his sleeves rolled up, and wore a black heavy cotton work apron. "Well?" he questioned, eyebrow raised.

"T-they're all the same," Hermione stuttered. "Identical, copied verbatim."

"True, Miss Granger. I want you to suggest the mark I should give."

"I'm sorry, sir, but if I were marking them I would fail all three, the two who copied and the person who allowed it."

"Well that would mean I failed four people, seeing the only work that went into these three essays, seems to have come from you." He waved his wand, and she found herself staring at Harry, Ron and Lavender's essays. He watched her blanch, and look at him horrified.

"B-but… I… you can't," she squeaked.

"Oh, but I can, and it's only fair."

"But I've never failed anything b-before," she whispered.

"No, little one, and if you know what is good for you, you will make certain this never happens again." Hermione's shock at his words, registered plainly on her face. "Twenty points from Gryffindor for allowing people to copy you work," he added.

"But I… they weren't suppose… I'm sorry," her voice trailed off, and her head bowed in confusion. Harry had copied what she had given him word for word, and then let Ron and Lavender do so as well. He always assured her he changed things before he handed them in.

"Allowing Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and Lavender Brown to use you is wrong. They should be doing their own work."

"Are you going to report me?" Her lip was quivering.

"It would make very little difference if I did," he turned the swivel chair so she was facing him, and squatted in front of her. There were tears balanced precariously, just on the brink of falling from her long lashes. "We all know that nothing would be done about it. Or worse you would be the only one to get into trouble for it." Severus' finger lifted her chin, "Why don't you stand up to them, Hermione?"

Finally one tear, quivered a moment then cascaded down from its perch. The young woman shrugged, no one had ever taken an interest in her like this before. "I d-don't know," she managed. "I-I s-still can't believe they'd do that to m-me."

Snape's eyebrow cocked, he'd not meet someone so fiercely loyal before. For an intelligent woman, she certainly is dense, that's a Hufflepuff trait. "Well, how do you explain this then, Miss Granger?"

"I-I c-can't, s-sir, I… they're my friends," her eyes were still swimming with tears, and burning with pain.

Snape sensed exactly how close she was to seeing the truth, so he didn't push it any further. He would rely on her intelligence to fathom the problem. Brightening, he changed the subject, and handing her a handkerchief, said, "Come on, little one. Dry your eyes, I wish you to help me test a Potion."

"What kind of Potion?" her still miserable and sniffily voice asked.

"Well, actually it is a commission for a friend. She owns a company that makes magical beauty products, and it's a new shampoo and conditioner, especially formulated for fly away hair such as yours."

"Oh," Hermione said, instantly taking an interest despite herself. "I've tried everything, and nothing has ever helped this," she sounded even more dejected, as she patted her hair absently.

"Well, shall we," I think you'll be surprised." Cupping his hands around her elbows, Snape helped her up. "Come," he smoothed.

Hermione vaguely wondered how he was going to test out a new hair Potion on her, but she followed him without question. Once they were in his office, he locked the floo, and then warded the door. Hermione gave him a questioning look, but said nothing, as she gazed around the room.

In the corner he'd apparently conjured a tiled area – as it hadn't been there earlier. It was complete with a chair backed up to a basin, not at all unlike a Muggle Hairdressers. This must have been what he was doing while she was reading the essays. Hermione cringed internally, Oh, those essays, I have to say something to them. What they've done is wrong. Damn, why did they have to do that?

"Sit, please," her musings came to an end. She sat and watched as her professor, cast "Impervius," under his breath several times. "Are you ready?"

It suddenly seemed to dawn on Hermione, what was about to happen, "Y-you're not g-going to wash my hair, are you?"

Her squeak was met with an amused chuckled, "Well, how else am I going to test the Potion. Relax," his voice smoothed, "you might actually enjoy it." His voice suddenly seemed a lot closer to her ear and lower, "I am told I have very talented fingers," was said in almost a seductive rumble.

Hermione shivered, and felt dampness invaded her underwear, she heard an almost inaudible chuckle at the noise that elicited from the back of her throat. "Oh," she managed in a burst.

Using his wand, to produce warm water, the Potions master thoroughly wet her hair. She swallowed her embarrassment when she felt his fingers spreading the shampoo through her normally unmanageable frizz. Then she was in heaven, Hermione felt his strong fingers massaging the lather into her hair. The pressure just right and it was taking all her resolve not to moan in pleasure.

She hadn't noticed that soft music had started wafting from somewhere; her excited gasp sounded over the exquisite sound of piano and cello filled the room. (1) "Shh, my little kitten." Hermione was left with her heart thumping in her ears, what he'd purred to her had been covered by the sound of the warm water washing away the shampoo. Leaving the young woman wondering exactly what she'd heard.

If she'd thought the act of washing someone's hair was mundane, all her misconceptions flew out the window when the luscious conditioner touched her scalp. Snape seemed to be coordinating his attentions in time with the rises and falls of the music.

Was this how, being turned on felt, Hermione wondered. There was a tight ball growing in her stomach, a need she'd never recognised before. Each pass of his obviously skilful fingers over her skull shot sensation down her spine, curling it around to her belly, and then straight to the apex of her thighs. While other tentacles of pleasure snaked around her shoulders and chest to prickle at the now hard peddled flesh of her nipples.

The massage continued, and over the crescendo and decrescendo of the music she heard his voice intermittently in her ear, urging her to relax in deep sonorous tones. This added to her state of need as well.

Snape watched as he slowly and steadily massaged. Hearing her stifling moans of delight and seeing her squirming slightly in her seat, he was very pleased. Together they had taken the first step in her education, and he had bound her a little more closely to him.

The Potions master was certain he had heard her groan in frustration when he stopped massaging her scalp. Once all the conditioner was rinsed out, he used his wand to dry her now luscious hair. "Sit up please," he commanded, and watch in delight as silken tresses cascaded down her back. "I'm very pleased with that," he announced.

Hermione was enchanted, her hair not only smelt amazing, but it fell differently. Bringing her hands up to it, she ran eager fingers through it and gasped. She had never been able to tame her locks to this extent. "It feels amazing," the look of pure joy on her face, warmed Snape's heart.

"I'm glad you like it," her professor took a deep breath. "It's getting very late; allow me to walk you back to your rooms. Oh," he said an almost an afterthought. "Madame Black, instructed me to give this to the student I asked to assist me."

This brought Hermione's heart and thoughts crashing back to earth. A student, any student, oh! Snape handed her the bottles he'd obviously used on her hair. "You will find it will keep refilling, as long as the bottles last, you'll never need anymore."

Hermione knew her muttered, "Thank you," was half hearted. How could she have let herself be carried away like that, of course she was interchangeable with any student.

As they walked back to the head girl's quarters, Snape put her quietness down to fatigue, until he thought about what he'd said. "You know there are a great many young woman who would have given an arm and a leg to be in your position tonight," he chuckled softly, "Who would be mortified that I choose a Gryffindor, whom they would assume wouldn't understand the significance of such a gift."

"Oh," Hermione blushed bright red, "I did enjoy your attention," she returned coyly, "Thank you. Err, good night, sir," she finished uncertainly.

"Good night, Miss Granger." It was a very shaky young woman who walked into her quarters that night. In a way she'd hoped Draco was still up, but it was indeed very late.

xox

The next morning Draco had noticed first, the hair care products in the bathroom, and then her hair. After telling her she looked fabulous, which had shocked her. He told her she was one lucky witch if Severus Snape had taken her under his wing.

Hermione blushed, "How do you know he's done that?"

"Oh Granger, honestly, do you think Severus goes around washing girl's hair for them, Love? If he did, well you're not even Slytherin."

"It was to test a new shampoo he's developing, and what's the fact I'm not Slytherin got to do with it?"

Draco rolled his eyes and linked his arm through hers, "Madame Black is my aunt, Theo's Lestrage's mother, and a friend of Severus'. She has her own testing staff, Severus has just used the fact that he could, to give you a scalp massage." Draco could see her getting a head of steam up about being deceived. How bloody ironic, those Gryffindor goons do it to her all the time, he thought."Now keep your knickers on Love. If he did do this sort of thing often, he wouldn't choose a Gryffindor. I tell you it shows he fancies you."

"Oh Malfoy, don't joke with me," she admonished.

"I'm not joking, and don't you think it's about time you called me Draco?"

"Well, yes. I'd like that, but will you call me Hermione?"

"Sure, Love," and he lead her out the door. "Come on I'm starving."

They had actually walked down to breakfast together. Along the way, they met up with Draco's usual friends in drips and drabs. Hermione prepared to be pushed to the back and be walking alone. To her surprise each one greeted her civilly as they arrived. By the time they'd arrived at breakfast, she was talking with Draco, Theo Nott, Theo Lestrange, Pansy Parkinson Blaise Zabini, and Daphne Greengrass.

Pansy and Blaise were a couple, and Hermione watched on, quite troubled to see how they treated one another. She also pondered what Draco had said to her about Professor Snape, as she watched them walking hand in hand, and talking about what their day might have installed.

As they entered the Great Hall, Hermione's eyes strayed guiltily to the Gryffindor table, where she was met with several scathing scowls. Looking up at the head table, her head of house was not pleased either. She almost reluctantly parted company with the Slytherins at the head of their tables. As she walked down passed Lavender, she heard, "Bunch up everyone, don't want to catch slimy Slytherin germs off Granger."

This was followed loudly by, "Hey, Ron you better disinfect your girl friend before you touch her," from Ginny, who gave her a frighteningly evil look.

Hermione was livid, but what use was there saying anything. She was confused by Ginny's taunted though. She said the word girl friend sarcastically, Why isn't she happy I'm his girl friend. I know I've never been very close with her, but that's because Ron has kept me at arm's length from everyone else. I wonder why he does that?

Unbeknown to Hermione, there were more than just her who were very put out by the Gryffindor's comments. There was a pair of very narrow black eyes watching from the head table, for one, and he was furious. How dare they, little shits, not only have they upset kitten, but they're maligning Slytherin house yet again. Severus glanced at the two prominent Gryffindors, well what hope is there when their leaders do it too. Of course this will only serve to bring about the end quicker. I hope she has the nerve to stand up to Potter. The look they're giving her at the moment though, I'll have to keep an eye on that.

Hermione sat there in shock, her good mood was gone. She couldn't manage to eat any breakfast, and actually left for the library, again to a chorus of nasty comments.

Hermione had decided that first day that she wanted what the Slytherins were offering; at least there she had some respect and conversation. It all felt strangely right, so she continued to walk to breakfast with Draco each morning. This had an added benefit too, she had managed to avoid Harry since Friday evening, but her luck had just run out Wednesday.

Harry was waiting for her, and stalked towards her as she approached the table for breakfast. "What are you on about, hanging out with those cretins," he hissed at her. "You're a Gryffindor, and you need to remember that. Gryffindors do not talk to sneaky snakes."

"I'll speak to whom I please, Harry. Draco and I are becoming friends," she asserted rising to her full height.

"Draco and I are becoming friends," he mimicked nastily. His eyes narrowed, and he said, "Have you lost the plot, first you become Assistant to the greasy git, Sir Snivellus. Then you start hanging out with his oily little snakes. I warn you, you will have no friends here if you continue with this behaviour."

Hermione instantly saw red. "How dare you, it's Professor Snape, and I'll be friends with anyone I choose." Harry missed the looked of hurt and confusion in her eyes. She was about to add, that just because she'd made some new friends, she wasn't about to desert her old friends, but Harry cut her off.

The resident Gryffindor spoilt brat, wasn't having a bar of this. "And what about my homework. You will do my homework. If you don't I'll fail. You wouldn't want that, would you?" His cruel insinuation hurt Hermione. She would never want that for someone, but she had to make a stand.

"Harry James Potter, I never agreed to do your homework. You're my friend and I help you out, but I can't just do your homework." Neither person seemed to have worked out how loud they had become.

There were several gasps from the teachers table, and Harry heard them. He hissed at her, "You stupid little bitch, look what you've done now."

Hermione was stunned, her usual bossiness deserted her, and she just stood there mouth gaping, floundering badly. The young woman was almost overwhelmingly relieved when she heard from behind her, "A word, Miss Granger." Hermione almost ran to her professor's side.

To all intents and purposes, everyone thought Snape was about to take his student to task over the accusation that had just been made, nothing could have been further from the truth. However, he was not about to let on that he was actually rescuing her.

In the next few moments, several things happened at once. Everyone gasped as they saw Harry Potter draw his wand, "Don't you dare turn your back on me you ugly troll."

Then a sudden noise from the Slytherin table, "Professor, watch out," Draco called. Severus turned to see two hexes sailing through the air towards his little kitten. The moment after he'd called, Draco said, "Stupify," and Theo copied.

"Protego," Snape hissed, pulling Hermione to him, and erecting a wandless shielding charm. He watched the beams of red from the Slytherin wands hit both targets accurately. Shit, he thought. Now we're in for it. His eyes shifted straight to the two elder Gryffindors. They already had fearsome scowls on their faces as they watched Harry Potter and Ron Weasley sink gracelessly to the floor.

It didn't take long for Dumbledore to accuse, looking straight at the head of Slytherin, "Professor, I wish to see Misters Malfoy and Lestrange in my office immediately. I will contact their parents."

In an attempt to change what he knew was going to be a nasty scene, Severus set his features and returned. "Students in my house are my responsibility. I shall deal with them."

"No, that was an unprovoked attack. They will be expelled," the Headmaster growled, rising and turning like the matter was closed.

Severus then watched the bleeding heart, head of Gryffindor as she scurried to the assistance of her fallen house members, and Snape watched in disbelief as both she and Albus ignored the fact that the Gryffindors had struck first, and Lavender Brown and Ginevra Weasley's retaliating hexes towards his snakes.

Severus was happy his two snakes had repelled the hexes so easily, and several other seventh years had their wands drawn ready. He protested, even knowing the futility of it. "This attack was neither unprovoked, nor unwarranted," he stated coolly. "However, I do not expect that you as a Gryffindor would see that," Snape sniffed. "We will attend your office once I am satisfied I know exactly what has happened."

Snape nodded brusquely to Albus, and turned back to the woman he was still cradling against his chest. There's no way I'm leaving little kitten here, she needs to be with me, she's part of this, he thought. Using the ensuring pandemonium to his advantage, he whispered, "Miss Granger, gather your things quickly, you're coming with me." Then releasing her, and without waiting for a reply Snape swept off towards the Slytherin table.

Hermione was so shocked by his request; she merely did as he asked, after hastily collecting everything. She almost ran into him when he halted three feet further over and roared, "Malfoy, Lestrange, my office. Make haste." Severus was determine to get the upper hand, drawing his wand he placed a discrete notice me not charm on Hermione and marched his two snakes from the hall, with her trailing behind him at a jog to keep up.

Taking advantage of the open great doors, his fox patronus leapt from the end of his wand, splitting in two, it gambolled off out the doors, summoning the necessary people before Albus had a chance to get to his office.

He knew none of the parties he had contacted would mind him summoning them this way, as they were all friends. Something that worked to his advantage this time, as the headmaster had to go through the official channels to contact parents. By the time his message reached the people involved he would find himself speaking to a house elf, and being told that their master's were not at home. Snape smiled inwardly, Because they will be in my office with me, working out how we can overcome this latest injustice. Merlin's balls I'll be glad when this year's over and I'm gone. I can't stand this place any longer, the threat is long gone, but a promise is a promise. He looked to the two young men in front of him, And it's almost fulfilled if they aren't expelled for this.

oOo

Notes:- (1) 2nd movement of Piano Trio Op 100 No. 2, by Schubert. This is the famous movement used in such films as Barry Lyndon, it is often used were unresolved sexual tension exists. (Snape's a smart man, isn't he?)