Chapter Four
Chapter 4 of 8
JTBJABHermione demonstrates her double standards...
ReviewedDisclaimer: Potterverse is not mine. The plot, however, is.
Hermione looked around her room and took in all the furniture. There was a large double bed against the wall facing the window. It was more luxurious than she could have imagined he would have provided for her. But then, if he really did love her, then this was to be expected.
"Maybe he is telling the truth."
"Master does not have a habit of lying. You would do well to remember that."
"I know he does not like to lie. I know he will do his best to tell the truth whenever he possibly can. I was talking to myself about a private matter. I would like you to remember that!" Hermione snapped. Her patience had been stretched on the way up to her room, with Riply making several comments about her heritage and about how unbecoming it was of her to leave her husband, unescorted and without any thoughts of his well-being.
"Master will not appreciate you being rude. He likes those around him to carry themselves well and have good manners. Perhaps you are the trash that—" And just like that, he stopped talking. His green lips were moving furiously, and his eyes shot accusingly towards Hermione.
"I think you'll find that your Master also requires his staff to respect those whom he has invited in and not to be rude to his guests." With a smirk, she put one hand on her hip. "Perhaps you should go and see him; I'm sure he is the only one that can lift whatever hex has been placed upon you."
She watched in amusement as the house-elf stormed out of the room, the door slamming behind him and a loud pop echoing in the hallway outside.
"Excuse me, Miss."
Hermione looked down at her ankle, where a young house-elf stood quivering. "I'm sorry about Riply, Miss. And it was me that hexed him. You are right; he should not have been rude to you, and I do not think that the Master of the house would be happy with his service."
"Thank you. I'm glad to see that not all of his help are as rude as he can be."
"Oh, I'm not strictly attached to the Master of the house, Miss. I'm not really of service to anyone. Perhaps you would like me to help you whilst you stay here. I would not want you to have to put up with the rudeness that you may encounter. The others were not happy with your behaviour, and when they found out you had gone, there was a group that got together and tried to hinder his search for you."
Hermione smiled at the creature and stepped around her, perching on the edge of the bed. "And what might your name be, then?"
"Leafer, Miss. And would you like me to be of service to you?"
"I think that would be perfectly acceptable. As long as you are sure that Severus won't mind."
"I'm sure that he will be happy for the arrangement to take place."
"Thank you then, Leafer. I would like to accept your services." Hermione smiled as the small green creature in front of her jumped up and down, clapping her hands in excitement.
"My first, Miss!" she screeched, before becoming very still and looking at her seriously. "Right then, just stay still, Miss."
"Excuse me, what?" Hermione gasped as Leafer snapped her fingers before wiggling her fingers and letting a large, warm, golden bubble form, shooting it towards Hermione.
Leafer began giggling excitedly and watched with a grin as the bubble encased Hermione and began to have a silver hue before snapping out and shooting back towards her small green body.
Hermione quickly checked herself all over before looking back at the house-elf. "Leafer… what just happened?"
"I bonded us, Mistress. You are now officially my charge. And I will only obey you, unless you command me to do otherwise. I am loyal to you, and you only."
"But what about Severus?"
"Mistress, he was never my Master. You do not need to worry yourself." The young green house-elf bowed, her nose brushing the floor for more than a second before she sprang up. "Would the Mistress like to have a bath to refresh herself from her travels?"
Hermione had been sitting there gawping, her mouth opening and closing like a fish, and she snapped to, her eyes glancing towards the door at the far side of the room. "I suppose that would be acceptable, Leafer. Perhaps with some Lavender incense, as I am feeling particularly stressed this evening."
"As you wish, Mistress."
***
AN: I hope you enjoyed the chapter! And I look forward to reading your reviews!
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Latest 25 Reviews for Want
69 Reviews | 6.22/10 Average
Ah, what a maroon.
Hmm, payback's a bitch for all the times she thwarted him... Very astute of him to mak her wait it out though.
Thanks for the update!
Severus in glasses, sounds very sexy to me, no wonder Hermione was interested. Can't wait for the next chapter.
Great chapter.
A very enlightening chapter. very helpful flashbacks.
she reconsiders what has happened, how everything has come to this. how others were involved.
very good.
And then this:
Perhaps you could help me make it." And all of a sudden she knew that his comment had more depth to it than just menu choices.
by far the best sentence one could think of. it dawns on her.
Sorry to play the Insufferable, but: it is Lord Severus, not Lord Snape.
she starts to reconsider her former feelings, her momentarily attitude towards him and his former and presumably actual amibitons and feelings towards her.
And she likes the way her house - elf cares for her.
well, it is a little dangerous.
but as long as she feels safe and protected. it must be good for her.
he was not too upset with the house -elfe - binding.
does he know Leafer?
And he remembers Spew, S.P.E.W.
she was not well informed? what does that mean? she was surrounded by houseleves in Hogwarts.
And there MUST be some books on the subject...
I think Hermione has misplaced her ire. It is Dumbledore and her friends that she should be upset with and from whom she should be demanding and explaination, not Severus.
His refusal to go any further with their kissing should tell her that he is trying to do things her way and that her truly cares. Now it is she who must decide whhether or not she is willing to meet her husband half-way to make theirs a good marriage.
I think it is time for Leafer to take her Mistress gently to task and point out that Lord Snape is doing everything he can to please her, and that now it is time for her to take her own council and be honest with herself.
We'll see if she has the courage of her convictions...
Beth
Do I detect a ray of hope here? Leafer's talk with Hermione was a welcomed change, I think. Perhaps the opinions voiced by the little house-elf to her Mistress will give Hermione another way to think about Severus... maybe Hermione well begin to realize that she just may have been wrong in her assessment of her husband. I hope so. If Severus had truly only wanted to bed her, I think he would have done so by now, but he has respected her wishes so far, and that tells me he is truly interested in building the trust between them.
Ahhhhh.... we'll see.
Beth
Uh oh. Things between Hermione and Severus seem to be getting more civil, but less likely to lead to mutual happiness.
Riply didn't help matters, but maybe Leafer can pour oil on the troubled waters that are Severus and Hermione. I hope.
Beth
So just like that Hermione has a bonded house-elf who will help her and take care of her. It's a beginning.
Beth
At least she is willing to work on their marriage. That's a start, and heaps better than them being apart. Severus is just going to have to suck it up for a little bit, isn't he?
They'll work it out... they have to!
*grins*
Beth
Hermione needs to take a deep breath and listen to what Severus is saying. She needs to tell him she is ready to talk about what happened and to be willing to tell him what she "heard" in his words, not necessarily what he said.
C'mon Hermione. Breathe in, breathe out!
I gotta go read the next chapter! This is good.
Beth
Well, that didn't go so well. Poor Severus is too eager perhaps. But Hermione may not be eager enough.
I can't wait to see where you go with this!
Beth
I think I have gotten lost somewhere. I don't understand a skirt so long it has to be lifted for lunchtime. I don't get a carriage being juxtoposed with a camera. What era is this taking place in?
I did enjoy it very much!! Great work!
Lord Snape?? Interesting. I just don't understand why Sev didn't correct the journalist and present Hermione as his "missing wife"?
I think Hermione is being too harsh on Severus and taking all her anger against Dumbledore, her friends and the Order out on him. She should be honored and relieved that she was saved, and not just by anyone, but by someone she truly cares for and who she knows cares for her. There was a war, secrets are expected. Sure she can be mad as hell, but what is bad about where she ended up and with whom? I am ready to give her a b!tch slap.
Perhaps she should be doing something physical under controlled circumstances: blowing things up, throwing things, going on runs, boxing, etc.
A clear head is a good thing. A stubborn one is not. Hopefully she can sort out her feelings and figure out that she wants Severus and it's okay to forgive him.
Poor Hermione, she's been through a lot. At least she's starting to see that Severus really does care for her.
Oh, she's finally giving him a chance! Wonderful. I also liked her thoughts on House-elves. I think that in her case, a deep friendship can occur between these two. Leafer has already shown her loyalty, and I think Hermione was quite touched with her wards and caring.
I am intrigued. I will read more.
Snape inpatient, imagine that :)
I love the little house elf Leafer, great character.
Another great chapter, can't wait to read the rest of the story.
Wonder if he will lash out at her for her lateness, or simply gape at her in front of her outstanding beauty...
They're making progress - yay! More, please?