Disclaimer: I'm not J.K Rowling.
Hermione awoke in her bed, wondering where she was. Then she remembered. I'm at Snape's house...er, mansion. His house is beautiful. She sat up, and pushed aside her curtains. She looked around the room. It is so lovely. The purple wallpaper was gilded with light gold swirls, that shone when the sunlight hit it. The floor was stone, but was covered with a fine Persian carpet that matched the walls. A Roman couch sat next to two doors, which she guessed were the bathroom and closet.
Hermione rose, and walked to the closet, a little drowsy. She opened the door, and gasped. Inside, there were many blouses, trousers, and skirts, undergarments, shoes, and dresses, all clean and ironed. A fine tweed coat hung on a rack, and on it was a note. She read it.
Miss Granger~ I have taken the liberty of assuming you want to stay here for a while. I've brought you some clothes with a shrinking charm, in case you find them too large. Please meet me in the dining room for breakfast.
~Severus Snape
Hermione was overjoyed that Severus Snape, the man who once hated her and her friends, was being nice! It was alarming, and somewhat disturbing if she really thought about it, considering what he did to them before. But, that was the past. Severus Snape was probably a changed man. Hermione was sure She happily snatched a dress off the shelf, and skipped to the bathroom. She shed her nightgown quickly, and hastily put on the dress. Then, she splashed her face with some water and brushed her teeth with a toothbrush that had not been there the night before. Finally, Hermione self-consciously looked at herself in the mirror. The dress she had chosen was navy blue, with white lace cap sleeves. It suited her, as it was not too girly or tom-boyish. Hermione grabbed a pair of brown suede flats, and walked out.
Since she didn't know where the dining room was, she decided to guess. She walked down the stairs she walked up the night before, and found herself in a large hall. There were several rooms down her left, and several rooms down her right. She walked down her right and opened the first door. Inside was a ballroom. That couldn't be the one! Brow furrowed, she turned and opened another door. It was a large kitchen. She had to be close!
She opened the last door, and found herself staring into the large white room, at Severus Snape sitting down, eating a crumpet. He does look sort of handsome, in an unconventional way. What? Why did I think that?
Hermione's eyebrows shot up, but then regained her composure and cleared her throat. Snape looked up.
"Good morning, Mr. Snape," she began.
"My darling Miss Granger," Snape chuckled darkly, "Do call me Severus. Mr. Snape makes me seem so old and senile sounding." He then looked down at his plate, and started buttering another crumpet. "Won't you sit down, Miss Granger? I find it best that you should satisfy your hunger. Tea?"
Hermione hesitantly took a seat across Snape. "Yes sir, with a bit of cream and sugar. Thank you." Snape handed her a steaming cup of Earl Grey, and watched in utter fascination as Hermione took the warm cup and closed her eyes, inhaling slowly. She looked oh so blissful.
"Miss Granger, in order to apologize for my wicked deeds done to you and your friends, you may stay here for several weeks, continuing your quest for Ashwinder eggs." Snape said. Hermione looked shocked, but said nothing.
Snape continued. "In my forest behind the chalet are many Ashwinders, whose eggs I have collected. They are currently in my laboratory downstairs. You are surprised, I know, but I am a changed man. After the war, I thought I had everything. A successful business, a nice house, and plenty of money. One day, I felt there was something missing. When you arrived at my doorstep, I realized the thing I didn't have. I didn't have friendship. Those damned Death Eaters were barely my acquaintances. Will you, Hermione Granger, be my friend?"
Snape watched as she took his word in. For a bookworm, Granger is extremely thick! I do hope she believes my false words though.
"Severus Snape, you were a horrible man. But, I shall forgive you." Hermione looked surprised at her own words, but continued. "I will gladly stay with you for the remainder of my vacation, before I return to London."
Snape listened, amused. I doubt she'll return to England if she's trapped here. Settle down, Severus, your plan is only beginning, be patient.
"Well Miss Granger, please accept this token of my friendship." Snape grabbed Hermione's thin wrist, and gently clasped a bracelet onto her wrist. It was a simple, silver chain, with a small diamond in the middle, but was capable of immense Dark magic. She wasn't to know of this.
Hermione smiled, unaware of Snape's intentions, and asked, "May I eat please?"
Snape said, "Of course," and summoned Loxy, who held up to Hermione a basket of pastries, and some jam and butter. As Hermione picked up a slice of toast, she felt Snape's lingering gaze. She said nothing, and began to eat. Snape sipped his tea, and waited patiently as Hermione gobbled down her victuals.
As soon as she finished, Snape stood up.
"Follow me," he ordered imperiously, and swept out of the room, with Hermione obediently following.
"Now, this château is extremely old, but I fixed it up," Snape said, as he walked through the halls.
"When did you buy it?" Hermione asked.
"I Confunded the Muggle owner, a couple of years ago, and kept it in good shape." Snape retorted.
Hermione was shocked, but smiled timidly.
"This is a very nice house, is it not? It is three stories, but the Far Right and Far Left Wings are four stories. I don't really use the third floor. The second floor has a library, I can show you that later."
Hermione was overjoyed to hear about the library. I do hope he has good reading material! Snape grinned, knowing Hermione would go crazy over his collection of books.
"Also, I have a large garden, blooming with both potions ingredients, and Muggle vegetables. This chateau includes the private forest, several acres of meadow, and a quaint little guesthouse. Questions?"
"Well, Prof-Severus, your house does sound lovely, much nicer than mine. I have a two room flat in Bayswater, which I share with Ron." Hermione's face was wistful as she spoke of her boyfriend. Snape glowered.
"Here we are. This is my laboratory."
They had been so busy talking Hermione didn't realize she was in the basement now. She looked around. His lab was sterile and clean, and contained two large tables in the center of the room. A refrigerator and Stasis box stood to the side, holding delicate ingredients. Shelves were filled with pickled animals, feathers, violently bright powders, and clean beakers. This was a beautiful room.
"I love it." Hermione grinned, and walked around.
"I'm glad to hear that," Snape conversed, and led her from the room.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked, confused.
"Dear girl, there is so much else to show you," Snape responded, as they walked back up to the first floor.
They spent all morning looking around the house, and had a delicious lunch of Beef Wellington and Madeira Cake.
Now, it was late afternoon, and both Hermione and Snape sat in his study, reading. Hermione had picked up a fascinating pamphlet about Magical Plants of the Americas, and Snape was composing a letter to Lucius Malfoy. Though Snape had thought the Malfoys to be conceited, Pureblooded snobs, he decided to invite them over in a few weeks to show off his wealth.
Both of them sat, savoring the silence, until Loxy appeared and announced it was time for dinner.
Snape rose, and cordially extended his hand to Hermione. "Mi'lady, may I have the honor of escorting you to dinner?" He announced with an exaggerated, nasal voice.
Hermione took his hand, giggling, and they walked to the dining room.
There, they enjoyed some Pilchards, steak-and-kidney-pudding, and Bakewell tarts.
Conversation was slightly awkward, but considering their history, was not strained. Hermione was telling Snape about her job enthusiastically, while he was listening, but not really caring. Her mouth can be used in better ways, he slyly thought. My gods, she's a former student though. Severus Snape, you are a sick bastard, a very sick bastard. Oh well. I still want her.
After a polite after dinner drink, Hermione and Snape said Good Night, and headed to their own rooms. Hermione washed up, and slid into her bed, content, and drowsy. The ale she had drunk earlier was really getting to her.
Just as she was about to drift off to sleep, she heard her door creak open. Severus Snape swept in, and settled himself in her armchair, unaware that she was awake. Hermione started to panic. What is he doing?
Snape quietly reached over, and pulled open her curtains of her bed. Hermione pretended to be asleep, but saw what was happening out of the slits of her eyes. Her former Potions professor stifled a groan, and reached down to stroke himself inside his pants, while staring at Hermione. He had a look of lust and concentration in his onyx eyes.
Hermione was freaking out. She couldn't take this. Opening her eyes, she called out, "Severus?"
Snape jumped a mile. He saw her staring at him with those wide, innocent eyes, and sprinted out the door. Hermione turned, confused, and fell into uneasy sleep.
A/N: Uh oh, Snape, you perv! Alas, I still love him. Anyways, thank you for reading AND PLEASE REVIEW! PLEASE! Thank you again, and stay tuned for the next chapter, coming up really soon. I need to stop posting chapters too fast. Whatever. -XOXO leviosadawn00
