Slytherin Cunning

Slytherin Cunning

The ministry finally presented Hermione with an offer that interested her greatly. A new department had been created and she was going to be a part of the new team, R.O.A.M. (Research On All Magic.)

It was a godsend really. She was having a terrible time trying to pick one field of magic to pursue. When the ministry contacted her with news of their new department and offered her a place on the team, she was elated. She would be able to water her thirst for knowledge and get paid for it, further her studies, research some of the more obscure subjects, and experiment to her heart's content. She couldn't wait.

Severus couldn't believe it: he was finally leaving Hogwarts. His conversation two weeks ago with the headmaster had gone better than he expected. He had presented his case in a long speech, determined to convince Albus that he had done all he could to atone for his past 'indiscretions' and that he could do more to help the Wizarding world if he were to leave Hogwarts behind him and enter into research.

The headmaster just sat there for a good five minutes, his eyes twinkling, before he replied. "Severus, I never meant to make you feel as if you owed me a debt. The fact that you saw the error of your ways all those years ago was enough for me to forgive you. I am delighted that you have finally decided to forgive yourself."

He remembered scowling at the headmaster's words, thinking that the old wizard had finally gone from falling slowly into dementia to landing with a resounding thunk and splash at the bottom of that well. But with his next words his expression changed.

"Am I correct in assuming that this research endeavour will be self funded?"

He explained to Albus that he had substantial funds left in his possession being the only Snape left. He thought it was only fitting since his families actions had only been of ill intent, that he put the galleons to the use of good.

"Well maybe you would consider contacting the Ministry about your plan. I believe they would be interested in teaming you up with other scholars who would like to pursue their interest in research."

The way it turned out was better than he could have expected. When he contacted the Ministry, and they learned that this endeavour was to be fully self funded, they had offered him an entire floor to house his work and the pick of the Wizarding world's youngest and brightest wizards and witches to assist him in his goal.

When he received that owl he laughed out loud heartily, his rich baritone laugh bouncing around the dungeon walls.

They must have considered him a fool if they thought he had no idea what they were up to. He was after all an ex-death-eater, head of Slytherin house and a Slytherin himself to the core.

He responded with a drawn contract stating that any breakthroughs and discoveries made would be patent and owned by the individual who made them. Also, that he would be running his department with no outside interference from the ministry personnel. He included a list of people he would find up to par for placements amongst his team.

His one unalterable requirement was that if they could not secure Miss Granger's place amongst that list, then he would be withdrawing his offer to work within the ministry in this endeavour. It took four days to hear from them and he was beginning to feel slightly nervous about the volume of demands he had made.

When the owl had finally arrived he found that they had agreed to all of his stipulations. They went on to apologise profusely about the time it took to reply, saying that they had been trying to get Miss Granger to commit to working within the ministry for a good six months and had been awaiting her reply regarding this latest offer. They were proud to say she had agreed.

He was wearing the utmost sinister smirk across his features as he read. If anyone had of been in the room, they would have run for their lives. He looked like the epitome of evil.

'Soon' he thought, soon he wouldn't have to admire Hermione from afar. Soon he would have her working right along side him where she belonged.

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Hermione was making her final rounds of the castles halls; this was the last time she would walk these corridors as head Girl. She was feeling extremely sentimental at the moment for she had knocked back quiet a few alcoholic concoctions in the common room in honour of their final night at Hogwarts. She didn't usually partake in anything so juvenile, but between her best friends Harry and Ron nagging her to let her hair down for a change, and the fact that she really didn't have to study, she gave a warm chuckle and caved in.

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Severus had been following her for half an hour and he noticed that she appeared uncharacteristically disheveled. He had heard the ruckus coming from the Gryffindors common room and realized the seventh years were partying up their last night in the castle and finally realized she was drunk. And the walking around she was doing was only serving to enhance her intoxication by way of circulation.

Her condition had him slightly worried. From the looks of her dragging feet she didn't drink often and she started to stumble a little bit. He ducked behind a suit of armour when she came to seat herself on a window ledge. He could see her sitting there against a starry backdrop, with the moon creating an ethereal glow around her body. He had never seen her look so forlorn and beautiful all at the same time. She turned and faced the calming night sky with a small sigh.

He didn't know what came over him in that moment because suddenly he was standing right behind her. The smell of vanilla was invading his senses; it was such a warm and welcoming aroma. Then he found himself reaching for her shining locks, believing them to be the source of the exquisite scent. At that very moment he was pulled from his self induced trance. When the object of his obsession turned abruptly and greeted him quietly.

"Hello Professor, making rounds?"

He cleared his throat before he answered, mainly to sweep the befuddlement from his mind.

"No, not really Miss Granger, just stretching my legs. But that's not to say that I would not delight in the chance to remove house points, on my final night in the castle."

Through Hermione's alcohol induced haze she managed to come to the conclusion that one, Professor Snape was talking civilly to her 'on her final night, figures.' Two, she was fairly certain that he had just made a joke 'well it is the Wizarding world, stranger things have happened.' and three, her dour potions master was leaving Hogwarts.

"Going on holidays professor?"

"Nooo," He drew his reply out, as he sat upon the windows ledge next to her.

"I have decided that I no longer hold a ....... Passion, for teaching and have decided to end my time here at Hogwarts."

"Oooh, oh I'm sorry to hear that Professor."

"Well you would be the only student to think so Miss Granger."

Hermione let a chuckle escape past her lips at his words.

"Your probably right, Professor." After which she quickly placed a hand over her mouth, cursing the fact that alcohol loosened your tongue.

Severus found her embarrassment completely endearing. Her eyes were wide and her cheeks were flushed crimson. He could see she was awaiting a reprimand for her outburst.

He chuckled to himself at that thought alone, how could he berate the goddess before him when he now considered her his equal. He waved a hand at her dismissively and said, "Do not fear Miss Granger, I find your alcohol induced slip quite refreshing."

At those words she looked at the stone floor and blushed even harder, if that was even possible. He knew she had been drinking.

Until she realized she wasn't going to be taken to task and thought it was best to take advantage of the potion master's unusually relaxed mood.

She turned upon him wearing a warm sincere smile that made his heart leap and his breath catch. Oh, how he had longed for her to look at him like that.

"Sir?"

"Hmmm."

Was his only reply, he had no idea what she was about to ask or say, he still wasn't able to form words after seeing that smile.

"I... I just wanted to thank you for everything you have done for me."

"Malfoy?"

"Yeees, but not just that. Merlin knows I am thankful for that. I... I was talking about your work for the Order sir."

Severus was a little stunned no one but Albus had acknowledged the suffering and risks he took to go to those vile meetings and revels. She was the last person he had expected to recognize his actions.

"I did what I had to do Miss Granger."

There was a stretch of silence that felt like an eternity, but realistically lasted all of about sixty seconds.

Tentatively she continued. "Sir?"

He let out a sigh, he wasn't sure he could take much more of this self induced torture. He was hard pressed not to sweep her off to his rooms and shag her senseless as it was.

"Yes Miss Granger?"

"I... I just wanted to say also... that... sir..."

"Spit it out girl, you sound like Longbottom."

It came out more harshly than he intended, but by Merlin he was ready to just grab her.

"I... It has been my honour to learn my craft from such an accomplished and gifted master and I... I just wanted to say thank you for that also."

He looked a little dazed and she took this opportunity to make her retreat. She was going to die of embarrassment in the morning...she just knew it. So, with a quick, "Goodnight, sir" and a soft, affectionate kiss on his cheek, she hastily made her way, face burning, back to her rooms. He didn't even see her walk away. For him, time had come to a standstill the moment her lips had touched his cheek.

His fingers found their way to where her lips were only a few moments ago. They had been warm and soft. She wasn't too quick about it either, he noticed. It wasn't just a peck on the cheek--it was a genuine sign of affection.

He realized with sadness that no one had ever touched him with such a sincere sign of affection. Not since he had been a little boy.