Hermione had been summoned to the Headmistress' office. And she suspected exactly what for.
By now, Hermione should know that Ron had the emotional depth of a spoon and a brain the side of a corn niblet.
Hermione's entire body had broken into a cold sweat as she ascended the steps into the Phoenix office and sat down on a red chair opposite Headmistress MacGonagall's desk.
There were many changes enacted since Professor Snape had been demoted from Headmaster: the black decor and vials and old tomes with cobwebs had been replaced by Scottish tartan and scotch bottles and the whole place was cozy and warm and even had bagpipes tooting quietly in the background. It reminded her of happier days.
Hermione had no reason to be afraid of the Headmistress' ire. She and Hermione had been easy companions since her third year in Hogwarts. Even though many decades older, Minerva had taken the girl in as her tutee and confided and shared with her many secrets from her youth. She'd even once lent her a Time Turner so that she could take extra classes.
But to be on the Scots' bad side? It was enough to make one shiver with fear.
Minerva descended the steps with two glasses. "Heart, there are wool throws behind your chair. Bundle up, don't look like a poor relative."
Hermione took the cup and drank, it being a hot cocoa with whipped cream. The Headmistress didn't seem upset, but maybe the worst of her anger for cavorting with the Potions Master would soon come to light.
"Hermione, my dear, you do like your professors," Minerva began.
Hermione nearly spluttered chocolate over her robes. "No. Err, yes. Who exactly are we talking about?"
"Any." Minerva took a sip of her own drink, likely her favourite aromatic Grouse. "Take Professor Snape, for example."
"For example," Hermione repeated.
"You have been doing well by him."
"I wouldn't say so."
"Young Ronald would. He looked rather upset during the last Quidditch match, something about you receiving the highest grade in Potions."
Hermione's mind ran with a million thoughts: none of which had a good outcome. "Err- right. That I did."
"You'd been thinking about your plans after graduating, last we spoke." Minerva's gaze turned stern. "I will say it plainly. One of our staff is taking leave and I'd rather take over the class myself than leave it to some bumbling baboon. Unless I find the perfect candidate..."
She took out a folder with Hermione's name written on it, and flipped through the contents. "Your grades had always been stellar." She paused, likely seeing the dip in her academic record. "You are a favourite among the faculty and I trust you to do justice by your work."
Hermione's shoulders dropped. "You want me to take on a Professor role?"
"There would be a significant-"
"-what a relief." Not wishing to provoke further questions, Hermione quickly read over the agreement before her, re-reading the most difficult and pressing clauses.
"I thought you'd say so. This member is feeling particularly dejected."
Hermione perked up. "It doesn't state which class I will be teaching this term?"
"That is yet to be determined."
"It's Charms? Professor Flitwick was thinking of retiring..."
Minerva sighed. "Your grades qualify you to teach any subject, but I am particularly pleased by your Potions grades this term. Outstanding!"
Hermione all but went mute. "You want me to be the Potions Mistress."
"Professor Snape has an urgent situation requiring him to leave Hogwarts at end of term."
So it was about her and Professor Snape's relationship after all. Hermione's resolve sank. She thought that they had reached an understanding of sorts and that he had been mildly interested in her. Why else did he send the flowers and chocolate and promise her nights in bed? Maybe he realized she was a silly young witch who could hardly impress him and wanted to run away to release them both from the embarrassment. He had been drunk the moment he proposed to be her lover. Now that he had sobered up, he likely saw the situation for what it truly was.
"Hermione?"
Hermione straightened. "That's a wonderful opportunity. I can't wait to start."
Minerva nodded and smiled. "I knew I could count on you, heart. To absolve you from Head Girl duties, perhaps you can let me know the best candidate for replacement by next week?"
Hermione would.
She knew just the witch! Parvati Patil was looking forward to becoming Head Girl. She was a witch who could represent the minority and was responsible and bookish.
And still, the thought of Professor Snape did not leave Hermione's mind. He did not look unwell last they spoke. In fact, he looked much healthier and happier and fresher than before: even his hair was kempt and combed into a sleek fashion. It was difficult not to take his leave as a personal insult: Hermione would really try. The more she thought of it, the more furious she became with herself.
-x-x-x-
He was certain he'd sent her that owl with the meeting place, and yet, Miss Granger was seven minutes late.
They were to meet at the entrance to the Forbidden Forest to forage for ingredients in the evening.
Severus paced back and forth, a certain lightness to his step. He had excellent news to share. He was already daydreaming of waking up this time in two monthes on a hot, sunny beach with a drink in hand. Finally, some justice in this world.
The fog parted as a small figure Apparated into view. Miss Granger, sulking, dragged herself over.
Severus sighed. "A most wonderful evening. Shall we?" He barely noticed the little sigh in his witch's voice as she sulked after him into the mix of trees and shrubs.
"No need to hurry. The clearing is well lit until six," Severus continued. "Miss Granger," he finally said, halting. "Had I wanted to walk in silence I would have asked one of the Hogwarts ghosts to escort me."
Hermione met his gaze. A large tear nestled in the nooks of her brown eyes. Suddenly, her hand darted to his forehead, feeling him for a fever.
Severus swatted away her hand. "Are you quite well?"
"Oh Professor," she stammered. "Are you?"
Severus found himself in a hurried embrace and the subject of Miss Granger's prattling about ailments and symptoms. He had enough sense to peel the witch off of him before giving her a good shake and staring deep into her chocolate brown eyes. "Have you lost your mind? I am perfectly well and the only leave I am planning to take is the one to the nearest International Portkey."
He straightened. "I have excellent news. The Headmistress granted me a leave of absence after this term. As such, I am at will to go where I please." He gave her a salacious look up and down. "And with whom I please."
Hermione stared back at him, her wet eyes glistening and appeared in a state of mild shock. "I can't go with you."
"You have more than a sufficient number of credits to graduate and I am certain that with my training, you will have your pick of Masters to complete your apprenticeship under should Potions not be the calling of your heart. I am a jealous wizard, but in the name of academics I willingly oblige."
The young witch considered his words for a moment.
"I can't take an apprenticeship, because I already have another job."
Surely nothing can be as important as an apprenticeship in these times, Severus considered but decided it best not to argue. "In the case, it's best we use our time together wisely. We will head to the northern side to gather ingredients for the SPEW final examinations before nightfall."
And with that, the two headed out deep into the forest.
The witch relaxed a bit, engaging with him in light conversation. She allowed him to take her hand and guide her through a particularly trying part of the forest. There were no more questions about his resignation nor this mysterious new job she had not cared to explain. quite frankly, Severus did not care for details. He was insulted Miss Granger refused his offer to leave the school with him. That would mean he would have to find another replacement witch to satisfy his growing desire. And if she would not have him in a week's time after the examinations were through, well...he'd have to take advantage of the situation tonight.
"There is a shortcut, by the brook."
Miss Granger narrowed her eyes, looking for the dip in the terrain towards the shore. "Down there, I see it."
They walked down together, navigating the steep slope of the forest and descended closer to the bank of the river. It was quite a bit colder here and Severus was not about to use a warming charm quite yet.
"We must stay close, to conserve our heat emission," he said plainly.
The witch walked closer, trotting along beside him. Here Severus cast a warming charm over himself but expanded the reach just about where his robes ended. As expected, Miss Granger drew closer and closer until she was huddled up close to him and able to feel the warmth emanating from his body.
"Do not admit you are cold?" he purred, slipping his cloak about her shoulder to wrap her up.
"I d-don't understand," Hermione said, teeth chattering. "I cast t-the charm, but the more I do the colder I become."
"Ah, well the Forbidden Forest has a particular effect on the students. This and many other secrets unfortunately you will not learn with your new employer."
He slipped his hand down her arm and wrapped it around her waist. The witch hummed as he slid his cold fingers under her layers of jumpers and coat and brushed them along her wet skin.
When she had least expected it, he spun her around and leaned her against a large tree trunk. He nuzzled his nose under her scarf, taking a long drag of her orange scent. She shuddered under his touch and tipped her head away to let him kiss her neck.
"Very good, pet." Severus planted a row of kissed along her neck and up to her earlobe. He suckled on the skin and nibbled the corner with his teeth. As he did, he slipped one finger down under her the hem of her winter wool skirt and grazed the hemline of her pants.
"Now then, we will get to gathering in a moment, but first, I'd like to take my payment for my services."
His finger slipped into her pants and found the little mound of curls. She shivered as his finger searched for an opening and she tensed when he found her wanting little nib waiting for him: wet and ready.
He was going to ravish the witch a bit. Perhaps she would change her mind about her taking this mysterious job that was going to separate the two of them. He'd make her suffer a bit either way. The way Severus saw it, there was need to play with one's meal until it heated up just the right amount.
He played with her sex for some time, eliciting some sweet sounds from her as he took her mouth and kissed her all about her pretty, red cheeks. When he finished, she seemed well flushed all over. Then, they had gone on to gather their roots and bark pieces for the brewing examination.
Certainly her old lover, the Weasley boy, could never give her such sensations. If she wanted to return to him, well, it would be a stupid mistake on her part. Severus was not about to be a jilted lover anymore. After the examinations, when she was no longer his student, he would fuck her senseless.
Severus grinned. And to make matters so much better, perhaps he'd fuck her in front of Potter and Weasley themselves. That way, they too would get a proper lecture on pleasuring a witch.
It would be his parting gift to them, his final lesson.
No one tried to take what was now Severus Snape's. That was for certain.