Chapter Nineteen: Back to Hogwarts

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Chapter Nineteen: Back to Hogwarts

"Severus! I wasn't expecting to see you back so early. What in Merlin's name have you done to your hair? It looks so much better, and those clothes are a vast improvement on the old frock coat."

"Thank you, Minerva. I hadn't realised my previous appearance was so unappealing."

"Oh, rubbish, Severus. You knew damned well and worked hard to maintain it. I hope you will not revert back now you have returned. I would be most disappointed in you."

"Rest assured, Minerva. I've grown accustomed to this attire. But do not assume I will play the amenable Seth Sneyd back here at Hogwarts."

"I'd heard rumours you had been seen to smile on occasion while you were teaching last term. I forbid you to do that here – it would traumatise the students far too much."

"Miss Granger has already told me something along those lines, Minerva. I shall endeavour to be the surly bastard you all know and avoid."

"No need to go that far. Just don't let any... ahem... fan clubs start up."

"Oh, hell. Has Kingsley been gossiping again?"

"He came to visit just before Christmas. It seems your Muggle admirers had asked a favour of him."

"And what exactly did those ridiculous girls request?"

"Nothing for themselves, Severus. They were apparently very concerned regarding a certain couple to whom they had developed an attachment. Oh, don't groan. Kingsley told me all about the duel and how it ended. The girls were most anxious he inform me you had not done anything Miss Granger had not wanted."

"Fuck, Minerva. Is nothing private?"

"Not if the welfare of my students..."

"You do not need to worry about protecting Miss Granger. She is quite safe from me."

"Don't get all stiff-necked with me, young man! I was about to say, 'Not if the welfare of my students and staff is at stake.' From all accounts, you and Hermione developed a relationship while working together as partners. You are both of age, and there is no suggestion of lack of consent on her part if her friends are to be believed."

"She's returning here as a student, Minerva. Need I remind you of the charter of the school? No intimate relationships are to be condoned between students and staff of Hogwarts."

"Have you read the entire charter, Severus?"

"No. But I have studied the section pertaining to staff and student relationships."

"Then, perhaps you'd better read it again. And this time read all the Appendices."

"Are you suggesting...?"

"Go, Severus. Read it. I believe you will find the full charter in the library under School Documents."

***

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

2. Subject to the judgement of the incumbent Head of School.

***

Snape

Rule 23. Hmm, school discipline. Section IV deals with detentions and House points. Subclause 6, where is it?

Oh, terrific. I admit to caring for the know-it-all, and not only do I have to suffer the jeers and comments from my students but I cannot issue her detention or deduct House points. She'd run roughshod over me, I can just see it.

But I'd get laid regularly.

And I really do love the brilliant little wench. Somehow, she makes me forget the darkness in my soul and fills me with light.

What am I afraid of?

Apart from public humiliation when she discovers boys of her age are younger, better-looking, and less likely to verbally flay her?

Or is it my pathetic, scarred heart that is likely to break when she leaves me, as she must eventually?

Better not to let her get close again.

Where's that damned frock coat?

***

"I thought you weren't going to wear that?"

"I changed my mind. The haircut will have to satisfy your infernal desire to alter my appearance, Minerva."

"I see. And did you read the school charter?"

"I did. The Appendix you mentioned is irrelevant. There will be no student-teacher relationships at Hogwarts this year."

"Oh, Severus. I really thought you'd made progress."

"The only progress I desire to make is with this syllabus meeting we are supposed to be having. My private life is of no interest to anyone but myself, and I'd appreciate it if it stayed that way."

"Very well. The syllabus. I see you've made some additions to the course material. Are you sure Legilimency and Occlumency should be freely taught?"

"Only to those who demonstrate a reasonable talent. I'm certainly not offering to repeat my mistake of three years ago."

"Which particular mistake was that, Severus?"

"Potter!"

"I can see why that might have been difficult. At what age will you offer this extension class?"

"Sixth and seventh year only. After an initial assessment, I will decide who will be suitable."

"And if Mr Potter should apply?"

"If he can now control his mind, I shall endeavour to teach him."

"Excellent. Now, what of the junior classes?"

***

Snape

Right, Sev. They'll be here soon. Just stay calm. She's just one of hundreds of students who will be walking through that door any minute now. No need to get agitated.

That's right. Think of Argus in his underwear.

No. Not good. Not at all relaxing.

Try a nice, soothing stream. Yes, there it is, clear, sparkling water tumbling over submerged stones until it falls over the edge to form a delicate waterfall reflecting myriads of tiny rainbows where the sun's rays hit. And under the waterfall is Hermione, dancing naked in the cool, refreshing...

Oh, fuck. That's uncomfortable. And embarrassing if Minerva or anyone else notices. Back to Argus in his underwear.

Merlin, they are noisy little brats this year. I swear they get younger and smaller every year.

I'm not watching the Gryffindor table.

Truly.

Dammit, of course I am. Where is she?

Oh, gods, there she is. In uniform. Damn Gryffindor colours; she looked much better in green and silver.

Don't look.

Don't look.

Don't... damn!

If looks could kill, I'd be a dead wizard. She's not happy, and I doubt I can blame the Dormant Duo this time. Even they are giving me dirty looks. Well, more dirty looks than usual.

Well, glaring didn't help. They appear to be immune. I should never have let them relax around me over Christmas. Class is going to be hell.

Wait a minute. Hermione said they were exempt from seventh-year Defence. For once someone out there is on my side.

There she is, smiling and laughing with them all while I'm up here with Hooch and Sprout for company. At least they aren't talking to me... yet. I think the new haircut and teeth have unnerved them. Excellent.

Look at how all her peers have grown in the last six months. How can she miss the extra muscles and stubble?

If they touch her, I'll kill them.

***

Hermione

Nearly there. In five minutes I'll be in the Great Hall. I wonder if Severus will be there. Oops. Better start thinking of him as Snape. Wouldn't want to slip up in front of Lavender. Mind you, I'd love to see his face if I called him Severus in front of everyone. He'd have a fit!

There he is. Back in the Snape uniform, just as I expected. At least he will have to wait for his hair to grow again, and his teeth are permanently fixed. He doesn't look quite so unattractive now.

Who am I kidding? He could be wearing an old sack and have his old teeth and hair back, and I would still love him. He sits up there with the rest of the staff, but now I can see how apart he really is, even amongst others. So lonely.

Dammit, Severus. Look at me.

Look at me!

Yes, that's right. I'm cranky. How dare you leave without even talking to me. Just you wait until my first class with you.

Oh.

No classes with Severus. I'm hardly going to see him.

Bloody hell, everyone wants to know where I've been. Why can't I just tell them I've had a torrid affair with the Defence master, who happens to have a rather delicious body under all those layers and is a fantastic lover?

Perhaps I should. They'd never believe me anyway.

***

"So, Hermione. Where were you last term? Professor McGonagall said you were off doing some special research, but she wouldn't tell us any details. And did you know Snape wasn't here either? No-one knows what he was up to. More spying, probably. I see he's had a haircut. It doesn't look so bad like that."

"That's Professor Snape, Lavender. And I was... er... studying... er... Muggle technology. Professor McGonagall seemed to think it would be good for me to do it as an extension course."

"Only you would be excused from one course and immediately find something else to replace it."

"That's me, Parvati. An incurable swot. Just be thankful you didn't get the extra work."

"Oh, I am."

"Hermione!"

"Yes, Neville?"

"Ron tells me you and he aren't together any more. Does that mean you're open to other offers?"

"No."

"No? Why not? Surely we can't be all trolls? Or have you found someone else?"

"Hey, leave her alone, Seamus. Not every girl here finds you irresistible, you know!"

"Thanks, Harry."

"S'okay, love. That's what we're here for. If anyone bothers you, including You Know Who, let me know."

"If he was bothering me, I rather think I'd be enjoying it."

"Hermione. Just don't go there. We'd rather not know."

"You're such a baby, Harry."

***

Snape

Thank Merlin that's over. Now, if I can just get back to my quarters without seeing her.

Good, no-one around. They're all still gossiping about their holidays in the Great Hall.

Oh, fuck.

***

Hermione

I can't stand it any longer. I'm going to my room. Thank goodness we have private rooms this year. If I had to share with Lavender or Parvati, I would have been driven crazy. Amelia and the girls were much more fun.

There. Escaped.

Looks like Severus was thinking the same. Well, it's now or never.

***

"Severus! Please wait!"

"Miss Granger. Do I have to remind you we are back at Hogwarts now?"

"Don't be such a prat. No-one is around, and two days ago we were naked in bed together. I've seen, touched, and tasted every inch of your body, so don't expect me to pretend I haven't. I just wanted to say I will respect your wishes... for now... but don't expect me to wait too long."

"Before you choose one of your would-be suitors? There seems to be plenty of opportunities."

"No, you pillock. Before I come to find you and shag some sense into that ridiculously insecure brain of yours. I told you before, and I'll tell you again and again until it sinks in. I claimed you, Severus Snape, and I'm not letting you get away. Now, go to your quarters before I embarrass us both in front of all the students that are about to be in this corridor."

***

Snape

So much for the frock coat and robes. Just as well no students overheard that conversation.

No-one has ever used shagging as a threat before. Well, not to me. The woman has no sense of propriety. Why can't she take no for an answer?

Stupid question.

If she wants me as much as I want her...

But it won't last. It can't last. She'll get a better offer.

I should enjoy her while I can. The sex was bloody good, and I could teach her a thing or two.

Gods, she was a quick learner. The way she used her tongue...

Shouldn't be thinking of that while in the corridors. Someone will notice.

Thank Merlin for robes. I would never have hidden this in those Muggle trousers. It's a wonder there's any action down there at all after the other night's activities.

Finally, my quarters.

Oh, Hermione. Why can't I stop imagining her hands on my skin and her lips on my...?

Oh, yes. Those lips. So moist. So hot.

Yes...

Ahhh... What the fuck?

What is it with women I know sending their Patronus to interrupt a perfectly good orgasm? I'm beginning to think they have a secret Anti-Wank Detector.

'Look, Severus is at it again. Time to send in the troops. We can't allow him that sort of entertainment.'

Bloody witches.

***

A/N: This story was written for the Severus Big Bang Birthday Bash on LiveJournal. Many thanks to karelia for her beta work.