Hermione had spent the entire morning in the library, shifting through Potions texts and highlighting the chapters and units she would need to teach in the final term. She knew the curriculum of all her classes to a 't' and always made sure to follow the syllabus. Potions was no different.
She'd have to take over the first through fourth year Potions straight away. Professor Slughorn would be required to do the NEWTS level testing and classes for upper years. The early years curricula were straight forward enough, even though they weren't as fun as the upper year Potions. At least Hermione would have to save face in front of Ron and Harry. She shivered, imagining the grins on their faces when she showed up as their Potions Mistress.
"I know what you've been up to," said Ron. He plunked down beside her, slumping his Quidditch duffle on the floor.
Hermione stayed fixated on her book, and even colder chill creeping up her arms. "Know what?"
"You're...cheating," Ron whispered. "That's how you've got such good grades in all the subjects, especially Potions."
Ah, false accusations. Classic. Hermione had read Secrets of Manipulation: A Dark Wizard's Guide to Communication. She simply looked Ron straight in the eye and said, "Yes, cheating. That's what I've been doing all along."
"Explains this." Suddenly Ron pulled out her plastic tool from his pocket and put it on the desk. "A gift from your older gentleman."
"Ronald Weasley," Hermione cried. "You've been snooping in my rooms?!"
"Well you won't talk to me or Harry about anything. I bet this new tutor of yours hasn't just been training you in Potions." Ron flipped the pleasure device around, clicking on the button. The tool began to twist and turn. "I'll be this is an arithmancy code," Ron muttered, as the device twisted and turned on the table before him. "Add a little ink and it will spell out the recipes-"
"Get out," Hermione snarled, sounding an awful lot like the Potions Master. She snatched up the tool and charmed a flock full of little birds to fly around and peck at Ron's head.
"I will! But mind you, this old bloke won't be around forever," said Ron before storming away, waving his hands around. "And I don't think he cares for you all that much."
Hermione couldn't help but snort. Her vibrator-an artimancy device? She knew the Weasleys weren't well versed on Muggle things, but this was hilarious.
Ron thought she was cheating. Why did she care? In a few days time she'd be the next Potions Mistress of Hogwarts and Ron would be another student. She'd have to hold her head up high and ignore his quips. Some small part of her was still unsure of Professor Snape's true intentions. Perhaps that didn't matter all that much. He'd soon be gone too.
-x-x-x-
Minerva beamed in high spirits when she found Severus the following morning. She walked quickly, skirts in hand, until she reached the Potions Master who stood and waited.
"Excellent news," she said, "You'll be happy to know I found the perfect candidate to take over the Potions position for the final term."
Good news indeed. At this point, even having old Binns fly about and explain the subtle science and exact art of Potion making in his ghastly monotone voice would have made Severus jump for joy. He couldn't give a damn if Minerva had asked one of the House Elves to read his lectures.
Severus breathed a sigh of relief and straightened. Peace, at last! Some final few days and he'd would be gone like the wind. No more parchments, Weasleys, Minervas. No more boring staff meetings and pub nights and putting on airs around students he couldn't give a damn about. He had been employed at Hogwarts for nearly two decades now! What he really couldn't wait for was a few years abroad, enjoying a beach and endless tequila. Perhaps after, a calm job in some small apothecary or editing alchemy books.
He hardly noticed his usually pursed lips were curving into a wide grin.
"Are you not curious about the name?"
"I trust your hiring decisions," he said briskly. "I wouldn't dare to assume I'd be missed, and will take my leave Friday evening after the final SPEW exam of the term."
"You couldn't possibly!" Minerva frowned. "You will have to train the new professor."
Severus' grin dropped into a snarl. He had not been granted training when he was hired as Potions Master. The old headmaster thrust him into the role without so much as a pat on the head and a 'good luck, Severus."
"No," he said.
"Then I refuse to grant you a leave of absence until you do," Minerva said, sparks of magic emerging around her. "I forbid you to step foot outside this castle until the young professor is given appropriate training-"
"One hour," Severus grumbled and stormed off. A young professor indeed. He had not been helped when he was a young professor. Severus would scare the poor thing into a half-arsed lesson and leave him wanting less as he Apparated out of here.
The rest of the week passed rather uneventfully for Severus. Instead of scheming of ways to fuck Miss Granger in the alcoves of the school and be caught in the act by Weasley, Severus had been writing supply plans for the new professor. He had a mere four days to do so.
The SPEW exams themselves passed rather uneventfully. On Friday, had given Miss Granger a few dreadful looks, hoping she'd give up on the idea of staying her last term and escape with him abroad.
He finally concluded that she would likely not. She was far too interested in slicing the Lacewing Fly wings and extracting venom from a Basilisk tooth to give him any heed.
It had struck a nerve with him. He was beginning to enjoy Miss Granger's company. Not to mention, he found her very appealing to play with and seduce.
As such, he'd have to fuck her on Saturday night.
Severus had the perfect plan.
Saturday afternoon, he would train the unfortunate new Potions Professor. Then, he'd kindly ask him to leave his quarters, stating he had a meeting with someone else. Then Miss Granger would come to see him. They'd spent the night and in the morning he'd be at the next Portkey out.
Saturday morning, Severus spent hours with Lucius' potions and gels and perfumes-readying himself for an evening of debauchery with the pretty little witch. He had washed and pulled back his hair into a nice ponytail. He had smoothed his skin with a serum and plucked his brows.
He wiped a smear across the fogged mirror in his bathroom to be met with an emerging pair of abs, strong arms and a flushed physique. He looked good, better than good. The morning swimming in the Black Lake and his health exercises in the duelling room had done their job. Now he was ready for an evening of seducing and indulging.
He dressed in some form-fitting robes and was straightening his collar when a loud knock and a ripple in the wards informed him of visitors. The new professor was here. Severus took his time getting to the door, but when he opened it, his gaze fell upon Minerva and...
"Miss Granger." Hours too early.
The girl stood there, shaking like an autumn leaf.
Minerva cleared her throat. "To you, Professor Granger."
-x-x-x-
Hermione had been trying very hard to avoid Professor Snape all week. She did not want to face his ire when he found out whom the new Potions Mistress was.
It had been easy-Hermione spent the entire week studying in the library. She avoided Ron and Harry and anyone else she knew like the plague. She didn't even use her magic wand to pleasure herself in the evenings; not after Ron's hands had been all over it. Idiot. The Potions Master would soon be gone from Hogwarts and she'd be here alone. There was no need to give into temptation.
But the moment she laid eyes on Severus Snape once more, all resolve had faded. Heat pooled in her belly and dripped down below between her thighs. She found herself swaying slightly when he held out the door and she brushed past him to enter his private rooms once more.
The wizard smelled well, better than well. He looked years younger and his hair and clothes suited him.
They sat together in silence in the sitting area as Severus poured them all coffee with biscuits, acting the very image of a country gentleman.
"Severus, I'm sure you know of Hermione's great talent in Potions," Minerva began, sipping her hot coffee. "And leadership."
"I do," Severus replied, staring at Hermione who was struggling not to blush. Her entire body had flared up and burned with such intensity she thought she'd melt through the seat.
"Well then you don't need to congratulate her all at once," Minerva said.
Severus slowly lowered his cup. His lips curved into a lemony grin and his eyes squinted ever so slightly. "Congratulations, Professor Granger," he purred.
Severus too had read Secrets of Manipulation.
Hermione swallowed, schooling her own eyes to pop open and her brows to lift. "What a privilege, sir."
It was a very awkward affair. Hermione had tried to convince Minerva not to proceed with the training session, but the Headmistress insisted Professor Snape show her around his quarters and storeroom to prepare her for her first teaching term. The Professor had a unique storage method and likely had some advice to give her. Severus also feigned surprise, dropping subtle comments about how Professor Granger hardly needed any guidance at all and was perfectly ept on making herself at home in his chambers.
Well, both of them had half the wits not to say they were both familiar with the store room and all of its hidden secrets.
After the coffee was had, Minerva rose. "I will leave the two of you to discuss."
Hermione paled and a salacious grin spread across Severus' face as soon as the Headmistress turned her back.
Before she walked out, she took Hermione aside and whispered, "I leave the key in your hands. If you're not satisfied with the Professor's instruction, you have every right to keep him in your quarters for longer."
Hermione felt a wave of magic wash over her body. Across from her, Professor Snape shuddered and held his chest as though he were struggling to breathe. His eyes were blacker than beetles when he came to his senses.
"You. Revoked my rights on my chambers?" he hissed.
"That is, Professor Granger's new chambers," Minerva said. "Take care."
With that, off she was.
-x-x-x-
The door closed, silence in the room, Professor Granger's eyes fell upon him. Severus straightened his back and walked towards her.
He liked seeing the little witch like that, cowering and shaking in his presence. She looked like a kicked pup awaiting her Master's command.
"Hours too early, Professor Granger," he whispered, gazing deep into her chocolatey eyes and lapping up how they melted before him. "How can I...impart my knowledge onto you?"
He circled her, inhaling how sweet she smelled. Her skin and hair, so delectable to his taste buds. "I am known for my practical methods."
Her breathing came out in short, wanting gasps as her blew a lock of hair aside from her ear. It was so nice to have such an effect on a young and willing witch. "I said I'd take my time. Alas, you tempt me to break my own promises witch. I hope you're happy."
He grabbed her neck and sunk his mouth into her neck, but the moment his skin contacted hers, a jolt of magic snapped through his body. Severus fell backwards, as though he was stung by a thousand bees. His arse stung like hell a it hit rock bottom. He had cursed himself for putting so much of his own magic into the wards of the room-clearly, it had been given too much power.
Professor Granger looked at him, her own eyes swirling and turning darker by the second.
"I-I don't think I want that," she whispered.
"Speak up."
"I don't want that." She cleared her throat and crossed her arms.
Severus all but chuckled. What a spectacle she was- so young and haughty. "What is it that you want, pet?"
"To be taken seriously."
Now, a real raspy laugh rolled out of Severus' mouth. A short one, but a real laugh all the same. "Ward control is hardly enough to make one serious."
"If one is arsed to care," she snapped, then immediately blanched.
Here, Severus' short chuckle burst into a nervous, angry laugh. He even wiped a tear from his eye. His cock was not fooling about. It wiggled and straightened in his trousers, plump and ready for the taking. It stirred about begging for release. Severus crossed his legs, shifting aside and standing. Surely, insult could not be one of his kinks. Still.
"Professor Granger. What a farce. I could have taught you the sort of magic that would have made you a serious and powerful witch. Something old MacGonagall and Dumbledore wouldn't have had the stomach to do. The sort of magic only..." he paused. "The Dark Lord knew how to wield."
Granger's eyes shifted about as she considered his proposal. She shook her head. "I don't need Dark Magic nor your training. All I needed was to graduate from Potions, but now that I am the Potions Mistress, your work here is done."
Severus' neck twitched, as it often did when presented with unpleasant news. "You are...disposing of my services."
She shrugged. "It would appear so." And with that, she hobbled over to the desk, his old desk, and sat down. "Thank you for your time Mr Snape. I'll owl Minerva that you had given me some excellent advice on professorial duties."
Severus stood still for some time. He gazed at Granger, but just as in the NEWTS, the witch paid no heed to him. The nerve, truly. He slowly walked over to the coat stand where his cape was hung and draped it over his shoulders. He picked up his trunk, all neatly packed and slipped his pointed hat over his ponytail.
She gazed up for long enough to hear him mutter, "Good day", tip his hat, push open the door and march out of sight. And that, that was the last she'd ever see of Severus Snape. Or so she thought.