Chapter 13: Regrouping
Chapter 13 of 28
SubversaNow Complete! ~Winner Rd 3 Quill to Parchment for Best Fanon Het, Best AU, Best WIP!~ Hermione is cursed by the Death Eaters, and Dumbledore believes Professor Snape is the only one who can help her and keep her safe. Hermione is 18 years old in this story, but she is still a student.
ReviewedA/N: Happy New Year, my beloved ones. I hope you had lovely Christmases. Here it is, a bit later than I had planned ... chapter-the-next of the PWP which grew a P. It is a short one, with more to follow soon. If you want to recapture our place, you may wish to reread Chapter 12. I hope you enjoy my offering, and I pray 2008 will be a beneficial year for one and all.
As always, beta-reading love goes to DeeMichelle, Brit-picking love to MagicAlly, and alpha-reading/cheerleading love to Shug.
Chapter 13: Regrouping
He lay staring at the ceiling of his bedroom, the tremendous swell of emotion engendered by their coupling finally beginning to dissipate. His superbly sensitive sense of smell identified numerous scents: the Inamorata perfume, the bruised Bacarra rosebuds, and the exquisite blending of their sweat and sexual emissions. The girl was curled up against his side, asleep; he held her clamped possessively to him with his left arm. As he watched the long, smooth ringlets the house-elf had wrought commencing their reversion to the natural, bushy state of her hair, he was moved to revulsion by the contrast of the innocence of her countenance to his infernal Dark Mark, clearly visible against her porcelain skin.
Acutely imprinted on his memory was the expression of adoration on her face as he had said to her, 'I didn't make you beautiful. You are beautiful has no one ever told you so?' He had followed up that somewhat forgivable lapse for were men not famous for saying anything and everything during the act of sex? by calling her 'petal', like a damned fool.
What the hell was wrong with him?
He was indulging himself no! He was indulging her with sentimental behaviour, which had gone from unwise to dangerous. This state of affairs had come about because of an inane progression of thought, if one could call it that. In short, he was behaving like a lovesick fuckwit of Brobdingnagian proportions. He had become weak where she was concerned. The day would come when she would be gone from him for he would be dead, or Potter would surely fulfil his only raison d'etre and defeat the Dark Lord and when that happened, she did not need to be confused by a perceived emotional attachment to him.
It was unmistakeably his duty to distance himself from her again.
When she woke him just before dawn with greedy hands and lips, Severus disciplined himself to icy aloofness to atone for his lapse. The girl, ever sensitive to his moods, was quick to address the change.
'Sir?' she inquired from the opposite side of the bed.
He did not answer her. These post-coital moments were amongst his most vulnerable, and he was careful to steel himself against the entreaty in her voice.
'Have I done something to offend you?' she whispered into his silence.
'Sleep, Miss Granger,' he said, deliberately rolling away from her and extinguishing the candles.
Staring stonily into the dark, he plainly heard her soft weeping. He knew his emotional withdrawal, on the heels of their soppy but intense interactions after the Valentine's Day Ball, was a tough changeabout to process even he felt the hollowness of his reply. Gritting his teeth, he gripped the bedclothes with his fists and willed himself not to respond. When she slipped away, he did not move or speak, and the green glow of the Floo had scarcely faded when he moved resolutely into the middle of the mattress, telling himself it was a relief to be able to stretch out all he wanted in his own bed.
The next few days followed a new pattern.
As before, she came to him when she had need, accepted the attentions he provided, and departed when the need was assuaged. He imposed a new, rigid control of himself, pulling out when she found the relief she sought, denying her the satisfaction of seeing him in such an unguarded state. He realised he would not manage it every time he was, after all, only human but it helped him to re-establish in his own mind his place in her life. His purpose was to provide relief for her from the effects of the compulsion curse. He would be civil, but she would have to find her emotional solace and support elsewhere.
He was, after all, only human.
On the next Friday morning, Minerva McGonagall accosted him before his first sip of coffee.
'Care for a friendly flutter on the game, Severus?' she inquired, seating herself beside him at the high table.
Severus took a sip of coffee, his expression blank, and cast about in his mind for what she was on about.
'Next Saturday,' she goaded him. 'Slytherin versus Gryffindor, Severus it looks like the fourth year in the row for Gryffindor winning the Quidditch Cup.'
He turned a stony glare upon her. 'Gryffindor has won the last two years not three.'
McGonagall smirked and helped herself to food from the serving platter. 'Well, we can't count the year of the Triwizard Tournament, can we? And Gryffindor won the Cup the year before that so, I say it's four years running.'
Severus turned his eyes away from the disgusting fried egg on McGonagall's plate and regarded his porridge. 'Don't count your dragons before they're hatched, Minerva,' he advised her acidly. 'When Slytherin defeats Gryffindor, our chances will be even.'
McGonagall poured strong black tea from the earthenware pot by her cup. 'It was such a shame when Slytherin lost to Hufflepuff,' she said with false sympathy, obviously relishing her opportunity to take the piss out of him. 'But I thought you might enjoy a bit of a flutter just to make it interesting.'
Severus affected a shrug of indifference, making a mental note to have a chat with the Quidditch team. 'If you like,' he said. 'What are you willing to lose?'
The old hag chuckled darkly. 'Now you're entering into the spirit of the thing,' she said. 'It should be something that will cause a pang, don't you agree?'
Severus responded with a grunt of assent, ignoring his cooling porridge in favour of another cup of dark roast.
'Right, then,' McGonagall said briskly. 'When Slytherin loses, you'll pay me with a bottle of Bruichladdich Single Malt the 40 year reserve, of course.'
Severus blanched. Dumbledore had lost a wager with McGonagall during the tenure of the Umbridge bitch, and back then, it had cost the Headmaster more than two hundred Galleons to buy a bottle of the stuff. Surely, the price had only gone up in two years?
Managing a bland tone, he replied, 'I have simpler tastes. The same expenditure on your part, when Gryffindor loses, will procure for me a case of Ogden's Very Rare.'
McGonagall offered her hand. 'Oh, I would even throw in a crystal decanter, Severus but you won't win, of course.'
Severus accepted her handshake to seal the bargain, struck by the difference in the feel of the old woman's skin, as compared to Hermione's ....
He released McGonagall's dry, gnarled hand and turned, almost against his will, to seek out the girl. She sat alone, her nose buried in a textbook. Ever since her two so-called friends had learnt of her curse and of how Severus helped her deal with it, her friendship with the Dunderheaded Duo had become visibly strained. Over time, she had come to forgive Weasley for the things he had done and said to her, but she would likely never trust him as she once had done. Potter had stood staunchly by her side, but their friendship had been irrevocably changed by Hermione's curse and her resulting association with Severus.
Wrenching his eyes from her solitary figure, he began to shovel the cooled, sludge-like porridge into his mouth. He well knew how poor nutrition further exacerbated his temper, which needed no additional challenges. With the use of judicious wanking, he had managed to withhold his climax from her in rather more than fifty percent of their encounters in the six days past. He no longer scrupled to leave her gasping from her own orgasm and to lock himself in his bathroom to achieve release by his own hand. She had very nearly ceased to pepper him with questions and pleas to know how she had transgressed; he had long since decided it was better to ignore her than to reason with her.
An excited murmur from the students drew his eyes again to the four long tables below, and he was perplexed to see Potter and Weasley enter the Great Hall in the company of a vaguely familiar looking young man. The students were craning their necks to look at the visitor, and some were pointing the newcomer out to their friends. Turning to McGonagall, he said, 'Who is that?'
McGonagall turned aside from her conversation with Flitwick, following the jerk of Severus' head.
'Oh, excellent,' she said, standing and straightening her hat. 'That's who's covering Rolanda Hooch's lessons whilst she attends a family wedding.'
McGonagall hurried down, apparently to greet the temporary flying instructor, but before she reached him, a peculiar thing happened: Hermione's head turned, as if in response to her spoken name, and in the next moment, she had flung herself into the eager arms of the black-haired, hook-nosed man.
'Bugger!' Severus swore under his breath as the identity of the young man dawned on him.
Viktor Krum had returned to Hogwarts just in time to coach Gryffindor in their Quidditch match against Slytherin. For although Krum had made friends in Slytherin when he was in residence at Hogwarts, Severus had no illusions as to which team Krum would favour with his training tips: Krum and Potter had been as thick as thieves ever since competing against one another in the Triwizard Tournament.
And Minerva had been careful to inveigle him into a wager on the match before he was aware of the arrival of the International Quidditch star how very Slytherin of her!
But what was far more disconcerting was this: Krum was an alumnus of Durmstrang Institute, where the Dark Arts, not just defence against them, were taught to the students from the tender age of eleven years. Krum would unerringly note the change the Nexus had wrought in Hermione and by the glowing look the Bulgarian was bestowing on the girl, he would do all in his power to ensnare her.
Bloody fucking shite.
A/N: Please don't hurt me! More is coming very soon. Keep in mind that I posted 12 chapters in 8 weeks. I shan't leave you hanging again!
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Latest 25 Reviews for The Love You Take
1365 Reviews | 6.59/10 Average
Poor Hermione, and poor Severus too but I trust you to lead them to safe harbor.
That was wonderful. I love your work.
Never in my many years of devouring fan fiction have I come upon a more perfect work! I was enthralled from start to finish! You truly have a gift & I thank you for a most enjoyable read. I have neglected all responsibility, but I have not one regret! I look forward to reading more of your work.
Ahhh, i love those roses.. I was a florist for a few years and worked with them daily, they're tied with anther type for my favorite ever. EVER. Lol
Don't worry, I speak some German, and honeybunch is correct, merry Christmas. :) enjoying the story so far, even if the plot has taken over the porn lol. No really, i don't mind, the story keeps you interested in things beyond three scope of their bed.
Love this story. I've read it so many times. Good characterisations, good plot & very hot!
Mmm, gotta love the chapters with eye candy. Yum!
For a moment I wondered why Morgan would fight to get someone who clearly didn't feel the same way about her. How could she possibly think she could screw Severus Snape over and win him at the same time? For that matter, why would anyone be in a relationship with someone who loathed them even if they could force them? But then as quick as I could click my mouse to the next chapter, I thought about all the stupid, silly things women think they can change in a man and realized she thinks that if she can just get Severus for herself, she can make him want her, she can change him. First of all, the slag has too hight of an opinion of her self. Second, the stupid cow hasn't been on earth long enough to learn what this old hag, who has been married to the same man for 33 years, knows. That is, you can't change anything in a man, no matter how long you wait. Not one single thing. You either take him as he is, because the benefits out weigh the bull shit, or you need to move on while you still have your youth and your looks.
Well, I hope Hermione learned an important lesson about life that I needed to be reminded of with regard to "great men". Many, many better men have been willingly sacrificed on the alter of their great master, even though he were a lesser man, in vain. It is the way of power and politics. If one can't change the situation, one possible choice is to resign one's self to his place in the game and do his duty with honor and valor. Ha! Severus Snape is not truly resigned when it comes to Voldemort. "Revenge is a dish best served cold," indeed! Our mighty Potions Master is patiently working his master's demise. Once that is accomplished his other master will hopefully leave him to live his life as he pleases, only Severus doesn't expect to live. He may have resigned himself to the part of a pawn, but he will take The Dark Lord with him on his way down. Severus' original creator was no better than Voldemort or Dumbledore. Thank heavens, worthy bard, that you have seen fit to make his end more sweet.
The first time I read this I had thought that Viktor had coupled with Hermione, but now I see he was gallant enough to stop when he saw her crying and rock her instead. He isn't like that swine, Ronald. Please let me know if I'm incorrect. It is very handy that Viktor was knowledgeable about Hermione's condition, was non judgmental, saw that is wasn't anything personal, Hermione wasn't rejecting him, and he understood compulsions spells. She really needed someone who understood and wouldn't judge at that moment. It was also very handy that Viktor's presence ending up forcing Severus to face his feelings when he was attacked by the green eyed monster. (And, I'm on referring to Lily.) I'm very glad Viktor didn't get in trouble for casting the imperious. He did it out of compassion. 5 stars to Viktor Krum. I'm also very glad Severus has sorted himself out. I'm sure Hermione is too.
Response from Subversa (Author of The Love You Take)
You are correct. Viktor did not force himself on Hermione when he saw her distress.
Response from Subversa (Author of The Love You Take)
You are correct. Viktor did not force himself on Hermione when he saw her distress.
Albus asks too much of Severus Snape. He is only human. By giving him permission to have a relationship with Hermione after graduation, is Dumbledore recanting the order to let her go when the curse is lifted? If Severus wasn't so distraught wouldn't he hear permission to become emotionally attached to Hermione in Albus' words? It's so tragic that a man like Severus Snape must sublimate he very feelings, his thoughts, his future and every thing he is or will be to a Master. Albus tells him what to do, how to do it, how to think and how to feel. He is nothing more than Albus Dumbledore's secret weapon. Severus' life is worse than that of a house elf to the Dark Lord. I imagine that Voldemort dosn't give two shits about what his house elves think or feel or what they do in their free time, as long as they do their job. Poor Hermione. She is a good girl. She is sweet, forgiving and level headed. She didn't ask for this, but she has done the best anyone could ever be expected to do under these circumstances. She doesn't want to be a burden to Professor Snape. I can't remember if she knows that Severus has been ordered not to become too attached to her because he has to act as if this never happened when the curse is removed. If she knew this maybe she could speak to Professor Dumbledore about letting her and Severus work that out on their own. Severus is gallant and won't force himself on Hermione if she doesn't want him. Dumbledore knows he wouldn't. There is no way for this to end well, except for these two to end up together. Surely Dumbledore is beginning to see this.
They are both daft not to already know they are hopelessly in love with each other. I can't believe the level of denial Severus manages to maintain. I guess he doesn't want to get his hopes up. But what now? Is he convinced? I'm not surprised Hermione followed him and I'm not surprised he knew she was there. I'm not surprised he didn't want to upset her but I'm a little surprised he thought he could actually get away with the whole thing. He should expect more from Hermione. She may not be Slytherin but she isn't stupid. Silly silly man! How many times will he continue to underestimate her?
Mighty kinky fun to be had doing the naughty with your hunky Professor under the feet of your friends if they were to look. I do think that Viktor's willingness to cast the imperious charm was to help Hermione. And he did apparently do her. I think he was also trying to give her some surcease from sorrow and getting a little delight of his own. I do think Viktor cares for her. But, the big BUT, she belongs to Severus Snape and the sooner he gets them promised to each other the better. Many marriages have be built on so much less than what these two have in common as people and what they have suffered together. All he needs to do after Voldemort is dead is have Hermione look in the mirror. If she sees her and Severus getting married, he will know that is the greatest wish of her life after the curse has been lifted.
I must say good night!
Response from Subversa (Author of The Love You Take)
I want you to know that I am reading your reviews and enjoying them very much. I'm so glad you're enjoying this story; it is very, very near to my heart.
Response from Subversa (Author of The Love You Take)
I want you to know that I am reading your reviews and enjoying them very much. I'm so glad you're enjoying this story; it is very, very near to my heart.
my cat won"t let me type. 
What-an-Ass! Men are so stupid. Maybe if he promised to put a good word in for him, Ron would give him a blow job when he finished his duties to Hermione and they could be mates. If he promised never to cum in Hermione again maybe Ronald would let him bugger him after he was finished with Hermione. Ronald could become he right hand. Snape wouldn't be able to tell the difference between his own hand and Ron, but it would help him alienate and humiliate Hermione even more effectively.
It's been years, and I still need therapy for the mishandling of Severus Snape's fate in the DH. I don't know what I would have done if it were not for you, gentle writer, and those like you who have faithfully continued to craft a life befitting of Severus Snape and rubbing out JKR's embarrassment and shameful invention of such an Un-Snape-like demise. Nimue's colossal crystal dildo!!!! As if the greatest potions master in the world, supremely puissant wizard and preeminently consummate, hard core and lifelong spy would have allowed himself to be killed by the venom of Voldemort's familiar, known assassin and a weapon Severus Snape had had years to prepare against. 
PA-LEESE!
And for the sake of every god known to man, Hermione Granger would never SETTLE for Ronald Weasley as her mate for life!!!!! 
BLESS YOU, MY DEAREST THERAPEUTIC CRAFTER OF THE WRITTEN WORD! 
I wonder if she is too innocent to recognize his fury as the jealousy it is? I know he is worried too, but he is passed the "I was worried for your safely" type of anger. I know she is thinking, "why does he have to be so mean about it?" I wonder if he will ever believe she wants him on her own. There are enough chapters for that to happen, I think. Thank Merlin Dumbledore go hold of the map! I hadn't thought of it, yet.
So much happened in this chapter! The most important is obviously the fact that she mentioned before sleep. In the storeroom she wanted him again "...just me wanting you,- without the curse." Perhaps now she can remember to use the coin. It was a wonderful wonderful chapter!!!!! My neuropathy is killing me but I couldn't stop reading. I must go lay down now. I love this story. I wish I had the time to comment further. Maybe later.
The picture is magnificent! I have to admit that Severus Snape took on a whole new persona when the trailers first came out and I found out that AR was going to play Snape. I remember the first trailer when my heart jumped into my throat. That was the instant when I became obsessed with this character and this actor. I had found him attractive before but never was he so sexy. I was delighted and scandalized that there was already some fan fiction with this couple. I had never read smut before and had never been attracted to bad boys, though I was 40 years old. But the combination of Severus Snape imagined as I thought AR would play him was my undoing.
Back on topic: The chapter was tender and compelling. My heart is well and truly engaged with this Severus and Hermione and their plight. You have done a masterful job of making your reader become quite emotionally affected by what they are experiencing. What a relief that they have come to some kind of understanding! Hermione, now knows he desires her. Poor Severus knows only that for now, she needs him and wants him to desire her. I can't imagine all the fears and insecurity that must be racing through their hearts and minds regarding the future. How can they help but become attached. To fall in love. What Severus doesn't know is that women fall in love with men whom they respect and Hermione has great respect for him. How could he know that a good woman can come to love any man who is good to her. He has no idea that a good woman would find it very hard to resist the love of a man that finds her beautiful and intelligent, and who makes her feel desired and cherished when he makes love to her? I am hoping that Hermione's obvious admiration of his body in moments when she isn't in the grip of the curse will convince him that she sees him as more than a convenient shag in time of need. And need I tell you that your writing is extremely sexy without being vulgar? That it is the epitome of erotica? Surely not.(Not that I don't enjoy well written vulgarity.)
I'd venture, never did anyone wish more that Monday would never come. How long can one make a Sunday evening last without being too tired for another day at work, just waiting for clock out time, only to become so absorbed in one's work as to stay late anyway. It happens to me all of the time, though never have I passed such a charming Sunday evening as Severus and Hermione. What I would give to be on that work bench... I am certain I would never stay late at work again unless under severe duress.
Dear poor Severus! It's only the second time I've said it I think. Pitiful! Down right pitiful! He's well and caught in this as I expected he would be. I hope young Hermione will take pity and not insult his pride without meaning to. I suppose it's only a matter of time before his tongue and lips won't be sufficient. They must call a truce and get over the reason they are here and just accept that it is thus for the foreseeable future. Hermione will hopefully express some gratefulness at his thoughtful care even if he didn't want the job. I am beginning to think that this curse also has some affect on the one the victim is fixed upon as well. He seems quite perceptive. On the other hand, maybe he's just that good.
I hope he becomes more cooperative. I totally understand the way he has approached this problem. His is being gentlemanly and is intent on not taking advantage of this young woman. However, they will both do better in the long run, I think, if after he has assured her he has no desire to take advantage of her sexually, he goes with the flow and gives her what she wants. His clinical approach will be even more embarrassing to Hermione but is the proper thing to do until they work out some relationship that isn't simply student and professor. I hope that doesn't take too long. Hermione would feel less embarrassed if she wasn't the only person behaving so wantonly.
I shall try my best not to write "poor Severus" with my every review. I don't know why I feel more sorry for him than I do for Hermione at the moment. Her condition is horrible. Most horrible for the fact that she isn't in control of what happens to her. Even if it wasn't sex magic she would not be able to resist the compulsions another has placed upon her and must rely heavily and exclusively on some one else. It is made worse only by the fact that being sex magic, she will be humiliated when she can realize that Professor Snape is being forced to help her when she has a moment of lucidity. I suppose my sympathy lies with Severus because of his vulnerability. He is vulnerable to Voldemort. He is vulnerable to Dumbledore and between he and Hermione, I think the potential for a truly broken heart that can't be unbroken resides more strongly with him. I shouldn't assume Hermione to be so shallow though. She is the same age as he was when his heart was broken possibly permanently by Lily Potter. I say "possibly" due to my hope and expectation that the reason you have written this story is so that Severus can have the love he deserves and will find it with Hermione. Merlin!!! How much worse it would be to be fixed on Dumbledore. Besides the fact that he is not sexy in the least and Severus is sex incarnate, he's gay and would not enjoy her attentions at all. At least if Severus can allow himself to enjoy his new fate, Hermione won't have to feel so terrible that he is forced to do this against his choosing, though willingly. How happy the circumstance is that they speak the same language and he could use the book to tell her what the situation is and that she would be able to understand and appreciate that approach. Unfortunately, they will both be mortified for a while, I think.
"...and when the time comes you will set her free to live out her life as if Your Master had never interfered with her." Fuck that, Dumbledore. Poor Severus. Every thing he can never have has been dumped at his feet. I am hoping that Hermione will love him and he will let her. At least I hope Snape isn't likely to die in this version of Tom Riddle's demise. A bang up start!!! I'm hooked!