Payback is a Witch

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 1 ~ Entangled Again

"Surely Master Vargas, you have to admit that the curriculum of Potions Making needs to be updated. There haven't been any advances in Potions in the last one hundred and fifty years because the education of Potions Specialists has not changed. Every Potions Master and Mistress would benefit having a background in Spells Making and a working understanding of the science of chemistry," Hermione said, looking at the large, gray-eyed, silver-haired, goateed Potions Master.

Master Vargas was scowling. What a little upstart. How dare she debate him when the ink on her degree was barely dry?

"Mistress Granger, you must be aware that chemistry does not operate in the magical world as it does in the muggle world," he said disdainfully. "So why waste our time with such drivel? Obviously you could use a few refresher courses if a glaring fact like that escapes your notice."

Professor Severus Snape stood with several other Potions Masters in a small circle listening to Potions Mistress Hermione Granger challenge Master Vargas about the dismal condition of the current curriculum required to gain a degree in Potions. It was the last day of a weeklong Potions Convention that was held twice a year at the Jacob P. Lewder Center on the campus of Lewder University.

Potions Masters and Mistresses gathered bi-annually to listen to lectures, participate in seminars and receive awards for their contributions to the Potions Field. Severus personally thought it was a gathering for stuffed shirts and blusterers. There had been no true advances in Potions for years…just reworking of what had already been accomplished. His dark eyes rested on Hermione. The witch had turned out just as he thought she would.

All week long Severus listened to other wizards complain about a new Potions Mistress who was argumentive, pushy, and tried to force her wild theories down the throats of anyone who would listen to her. What was worse, she only had her certification for a year. The sheer audacity of the witch. The proper thing for her to do was to keep her mouth shut and her ears open, listening to and respecting the voices of experience.

Severus had snorted at this. As far as he was concerned, the pompous bastards were the voices of stagnation. The field of Potions needed a boost, and Hermione Granger could be the one to kick it square in the ass, sending it sailing into new and exciting areas of study and growth. She wasn't afraid to try new things.

Severus smirked. He knew that to be a fact. Seven years ago Mistress Granger had tried quite a few new things while spending the weekend at his home to make sure she received the proper grade to get a scholarship to go to Lewder University and study potions. He had fucked the young witch with impunity then sent her off ready for other forms of 'higher education.' The wizard kept tabs on her, however. She had done very well, graduating with very high honors from the prestigious school.

Because of her marks, Hermione landed a nice position in the Ministry's Magical Research and Development Department. She was given a lab, equipment, privacy and the freedom to pursue any project she wished. She had to produce five viable discoveries a year, not limited to Potions. As part of her incentive package, Hermione was allowed to patent one development a year and keep the residuals. But she had to pay for the patent, which was expensive. It was still quite a sweet deal.

Now she was here at the convention, going toe-to-toe with Master Vargas, the biggest fraud in the Potions Field. The wizard got awards based on his previous works, works he had stolen from others, and long, boring books he wrote, and rewrote and rewrote. Severus read constantly and he hadn't seen the man put out an original thought in print in over twenty years. But since Vargas was so respected, no one dared challenge him. It was a good way to be ostracized.

Well, no one until now.

Hermione scowled at Vargas.

"I am certainly aware of the difficulties of using chemical reactions in the magical world, Master Vargas…which is why I believe a background in Spells Making is important. I have developed a spell that generates a non-magical field that when cast allows not only chemical reactions but the use of electricity as well. In short, it creates a muggle aisle within the confines of magic," she said evenly.

Everyone began talking among themselves. A muggle aisle within the confines of the magical world? If the witch really had created such a spell, then it could open up an entire new vista of study and development. Muggle technology could be used in the magical world. Muggles had some amazing machines. This was a huge.

"Brilliant," Professor Snape thought, "The witch is absolutely brilliant."

"Rubbish!" Master Vargas said, "If you have made such a discovery, why did you not present it here at the convention?"

"Because," Hermione said, "there is the little matter of a Potions Master or Mistress having to be in the field at least five years before they can present anything at these conventions, Master Vargas. But you would know that, since you are on the Convention board and help draft the rules. I find this particular rule quite unfair."

Master Vargas frowned at her.

"That rule is in place, Mistress, in order to make sure that only Masters and Mistresses with the proper life experience present their discoveries. We can't let every wet-behind-the-ear upstart and know-it-all loose on our constituents with poorly researched offerings that are overturned within the next six months," he said, his gray eyes hard.

Now the witch was questioning the board. This Hermione Granger was trouble.

"Well, I assure you my research is impeccable. I have every jot and diddle of my notes properly organized and ready for presentation. I fully intend to patent the spell and its application in the coming months, as soon as I raise the money to pay for it."

Severus looked at the witch with interest. So…she needed money, eh?

The wheels started turning in the wizard's head. He saw an opportunity here. An opportunity for riches, fame and maybe even another go at the witch.

"Well, I suggest you scrape your galleons together then, Mistress," Vargas said rather dismissively. "In the meantime, spare us your inane rantings about 'change' and get some time and experience under your belt. No one is going to take you seriously until you do."

Vargas turned and strode off, followed by his entourage of Potions Masters and Mistresses. Hermione looked after them, her fists clenched and her eyes narrowed. She had no idea that her peers would be so closed-minded. Hermione believed that everyone had her thirst for knowledge and growth. But those in the field of Potions had grown comfortable with the status quo. It didn't matter how brilliant you were, only the time served. Seniority. That was what mattered.

That was the gated tower Severus hoped the brilliant witch would topple. If Hermione could get her discoveries out and prove them, then she would have to be recognized. If she were recognized, then things would start to change. Other sharp young minds would be accepted and their ideas utilized. Then the Field of Potions could advance.

Severus studied the witch, whose back was turned to him. All this week, Severus had skulked about observing her, but not approaching her. Hermione caught glimpses of the dark wizard, but made no attempt to make contact with him. But she did attend his lecture on "Potions Development: The Truth and the Lie"

In essence, Severus had lectured on the rampant stagnation in their field. What he said wasn't very popular. Master Vargas and his group walked out within twenty minutes, Severus' black eyes following them as he continued his lecture. By the time he finished, the room of over two hundred people had dwindled down to about forty. But the wizard didn't care. He would still be paid, and those forty people knew that it was time for a change if they wanted the Art of Potions to remain vital and strong. It wasn't a dying art, but it wasn't a growing one either. Something had to give. There was so much more to discover. So much more to do.

Hermione listened to the wizard, enthralled. He still had that command, that power to mesmerize, his voice dragging over her like silk. It was easy to see and feel Severus' passion for his art. It was also easy to see that his views coincided with her own. Hermione felt she could have an ally in Severus Snape…except for one thing. The way he had treated her years ago.

True, Hermione had agreed to the wizard's terms, but had done so under duress. She deserved to go to Lewder's because of her abilities, but the wizard had reduced her hard work to a matter of how many positions he could twist her body into as he stuck his cock in her. Hermione's nostrils flared every time she thought about it. In her mind, she had developed several vengeful scenarios to pay the wizard back for taking advantage of her the way he did…but they were all just that. Scenarios. Dreams. Fantasies.

In a perfect world…Severus Snape would pay for his callousness. But Hermione's world wasn't perfect.

The witch stood looking after Vargas and his cronies. Shit. She'd show them. They'd recognize her…just wait until she got that patent.

"A sickle for your thoughts," a familiar voice purred at her.

Hermione spun and looked up into the dark eyes of Professor Severus Snape. He was smirking at her.

"I don't have a sickle for you, Professor" she snapped, starting to storm off.

"Ah, but I might have a few thousand galleons for you, Mistress Granger," he replied, "Enough to pay for that patent you need. The spell sounds amazing…if you actually have created it."

Hermione turned back to him.

"Are you insinuating that I would lie about something like this, Professor?" she asked him, her eyes flashing.

Severus arched an eyebrow at her.

"You wouldn't be the first young Potions Mistress, or Master for that matter, to try and impress your constituents with an outrageous claim," he said silkily.

Hermione scowled at him and was about to insult him when the wizard said, "But I believe you. You were brilliant back in Hogwarts, and I believe you are even more so now."

Hermione just blinked at him.

"If you have created a spell that casts a muggle aisle in which muggle physics can operate in the wizarding world, the applications are endless, Mistress Granger. Not only in the field of Potions, but across the board. The wizarding world could take advantage of muggle technology such as computers, television and other luxuries beyond our reach. You could become a very rich witch, Mistress Granger, and I…a very rich wizard as your partner," he said, his dark eyes washing over her.

"I'm not in this for the money," Hermione said, "I simply want to improve my art."

"Then improve it…but don't deny yourself the other benefits of your discovery," the wizard said, sounding for all the world like a tempting devil with his low, smooth voice. "I will be happy to help you. I have the funds and the belief in you."

Hermione stared at him.

"No," she said, "I want nothing to do with you. You're a conniving bastard."

Severus scowled at her a moment.

"Mistress Granger, I want you to slowly turn and pretend to look around the crowd, but focus your attention on the two wizards by the cauldron table," the wizard said in a low voice. "Don't let them see you watching them."

Hermione looked at the wizard for a moment, then slowly turned, letting her amber eyes search the crowd. She saw two wizards conversing and looking at her. One was tall and blonde-haired, the other short, square-jawed and black-haired. They didn't look too friendly or reputable. She turned back to the Professor.

"Who are they?" she asked him.

"Let's just say they are friends of Vargas," the wizard replied. "There is a reason we in the Potions field don't usually tell others about our discoveries, Mistress Granger. We either demonstrate them, or keep them to ourselves until such time as we can demonstrate them. This is so our discoveries aren't stolen. Most likely, those two men plan to 'relieve' you of your discovery and deliver it to Vargas."

Hermione looked back at the men.

"Turn around!" Severus hissed at her, "Don't give yourself away, witch!"

Hermione turned back to him.

"You're trying to scare me, Professor," she accused.

Severus looked at her soberly.

"You think so? Let's do a little experiment then, shall we? Walk the perimeter of this hall and return back here to me," he said evenly. "See if you have any 'shadows' following you."

Hermione looked at the dark wizard for a moment. His eyes glittered with challenge.

"Fine, I will," she said.

Hermione began to walk around the room, pretending to look at the various items being offered for purchase. The two men followed her at a distance. After a few minutes, she returned to the Potions Master who waited with his arms folded, a smug look on his face.

"They ARE following me," the witch said, looking nervous.

Hermione lived alone in a small neat two-bedroom home in a quiet section of Little Hangelton. Other than wards and her own spellcasting abilities, she didn't have much in the way of protection. She couldn't watch out for danger twenty-four hours a day.

"I could speak to Vargas," Severus said, looking at the witch, "Tell him I am involved in your project. I can make those men go away. Vargas knows not to fuck with me."

Indeed, the wizard did. Severus was a free man now. Voldemort had died several years ago in a rather undignified but suitable manner. No great battle or vengeful Harry Potter bringing the wrath of the gods down upon his scaly head. No. An accident took the Dark Lord out.

There had been a very drunken revel one night at his fortress, and the Dark Lord was rip-roaringly drunk on a concoction of blood, spices and vodka, a drink he called a "Bloody Muggle" He tripped over the body of a muggle woman left at the base of his throne and fell so hard against the steps he busted his head wide open. It didn't help that no one came to his assistance as his brains oozed on to the stone tile. The revel just went on and his deatheaters left his body there until someone leaked his death to the Ministry and the Aurors claimed it. His death was not the blaze of glory the Dark Lord would have wanted. More like the flare of a match that was struck, spluttered and died.

With the Dark Lord's death, Severus was liberated and free to do as he chose. He stayed on at Hogwarts because it was familiar, but he did get an assistant and had more time to work on his first love. Potions. There had only been one attempt to steal one of his discoveries, an attempt that had a very grisly end for the perpetrator. Severus made it a point to speak to Vargas directly. Now, when Severus 'spoke' to someone, quite a bit of pain was involved. He beat Vargas within an inch of his life and dared him to tell anyone who did it.

"I have a pensieve of the wizard's confession he worked for you, Vargas. He would have killed me if necessary to acquire my work. If you report this, Vargas, I will be forced to make that confession public. You'll be ruined," the wizard hissed at the broken wizard.

Vargas left Severus alone after that. If the wizard spoke up for Hermione, her discovery would be safe.

"So, what do you say, Mistress? Do I talk to Vargas, or would you rather risk a late night visit from his 'friends?'" the Potions Master asked the witch, his eyes washing over her. Hermione had become more attractive with age…her body filling out and her hair softening to curls.

"I am sure that if they do manage to enter your domicile, your discovery won't be all they take," the wizard said, "And the Ministry will not assign you Aurors unless they believe there is a real danger. If you claim Master Vargas has hired goons to steal your work, you won't be believed because he is so respected. Your only other option is to give Vargas your research and the spell."

"I'd never do that," Hermione hissed, "I worked hard on developing that spell. I started it in university. It took me forever to get it to work."

"So…what do you say, Mistress? Me or Vargas?" he asked her.

Hermione looked at him.

"To what degree do you want to be involved in this, Professor?" she asked him.

"I will be a silent partner," he said, "You can go about your work without my interference…though I may stop by now and again."

"For what?" she asked, her belly tightening as the wizard stared down at her.

"To discuss residuals, areas of expansion, legalities. Matters of that nature," he said, "Nothing personal."

Hermione sighed. Yes, it made sense he would do that. But still, she needed to know that his interest would be all business…all the time. That he wouldn't try to do to her now what he did when she was a seventh year.

"How do I know you won't make…make any physical demands on me?" Hermione asked him.

The Professor smirked at her.

"Because in this case, Mistress Granger, you have something else to offer me. Wealth. And as delightful as your pussy is…it doesn't pay the bills," he purred at her. "I will take galleons over trim any day."

Hermione turned bright red. So his motives were purely financial. How Slytherin. Hermione glanced back at the wizards, who were pretending to look over the cauldrons again. Well, it would be a way to get her spell and application patented. She wouldn't have to wait five years to be recognized as a Potions Mistress of worth either. Hermione was ambitious and impatient to make her mark. Yes, Severus was a bastard, and she owed him…she owed him good, but still she could use his galleons and his protection in this matter. It made sense to take advantage of him.

Severus Snape had taught her over that weekend, that she did indeed need to look out for herself. She had become Slytherinized, just as he said she would. And it worked for her.

"All right. I'll accept your offer if you are willing to take twenty percent. I've done all the work after all, and if the use of the spell has the application you believe it does…you will be a very rich wizard even with that percentage," she said shrewdly.

"Thirty percent. I am putting up all the funds and it will be some time before I recoup the galleons I put out," he replied.

"Twenty-five," Hermione responded.

"Done," Severus said, extending his pale hand.

Hermione looked at it.

"It is a common practice to shake on a deal, Mistress Granger," he said silkily. He knew the witch didn't want to physically touch him. It might bring back a few memories. "Plus it is necessary for our agreement to take hold," he said.

Hermione sighed and took the wizard's hand. It was firm and warm. Severus gripped her hand rather possessively as magic swirled around them. He released her.

"It's done," he said. "I will go talk to Vargas immediately. When shall I come to your house to go over your research?" he asked her.

Hermione didn't want the wizard coming to her home.

"How about we meet at the Three Broomsticks?" she countered, "I'd feel more comfortable there. They have a conference room."

"Yes, and anyone can eavesdrop on the conversation," the Potions Master replied. "If we meet at the Three Broomsticks, we will have to get a private room. They have suites that have sitting areas and tables. I would prefer that," he said.

The rooms also had large four-poster beds.

"Fine. We'll split the cost," she said.

"No. I'm richer than you. I will pay for it," Severus replied evenly.

Hermione wasn't about to argue. She made decent money but she tried to hang on to every sickle of it. Let him pay. At least he'd be paying for something concernng her.

"Fine," she agreed.

Hermione and the Potions Master made arrangements to get together Tuesday night to go over the research. Then Wednesday Hermione would go to Hogwarts and demonstrate how the 'Aisle of Non-Magic' allowed her to use chemicals in the brewing process in his Potions lab.

"Good. Now I want you to wait here while I go talk to Vargas and get him to call his cronies off," Severus said, walking away into the crowd.

After about twenty minutes he returned to her. A moment later, a very pale-faced Vargas appeared. The wizard walked over to the two men and spoke to them animatedly. There seemed to be a small argument going on. Finally Vargas reached in his robes pocket, drew out a bag and placed some galleons in the wizards' outstretched hands, scowling. Apparently they wanted pay for time served. The two wizards left and Vargas nervously looked toward Severus and nodded slightly.

Severus, somber-faced, nodded back. Vargas disappeared back into the crowd. Severus looked at Hermione.

"Seems as if I've bailed you out again, witch," he said to her, smirking.

Hermione frowned at him as she remembered the last time he "bailed" her out of a difficulty.

"Yes. Again to your own advantage," she replied stiffly.

"There's a cost to making bail, Mistress," he replied smoothly, "Now I must be off. I will see you Tuesday night at the Three Broomsticks promptly at seven. I hope you still retain your ability to be on time."

"I'll be there," Hermione said rather snarkily.

The Potions Master gave her another smirk then billowed off into the crowd. He still moved like a big cat. Hermione watched him go, anger sitting like a stone in the middle of her belly.

"He's so fucking smug," she thought. "He gets away with everything. It's not fair."

Hermione began making her way to the exit. She was finished with the conference. As she walked down the main staircase that led to the college campus, her mind was working a thousand kilometers a second.

Hm. The Professor had already gotten Vargas to leave her alone. He already agreed to pay for the patent. She pretty much was set as far as that went.

As she walked, Hermione became angrier and angrier as she thought about how he had manipulated her into this arrangement. She had needed his help, but it still irked her how smug he was about it all. The wizard believed he could do anything to her and get away with it. Well, he couldn't. Not this time.

Hermione made a decision. There was more than one project she was working on. She had another specialized elixir that was in the testing phase. She used nifflers and horned toads to experiment with because of the visible differences in behavior, with excellent results. What was different about the application of this potion was both the elixir and antidote were administered with a hypodermic needle rather than ingested. She had mugglized the application. The elixir went directly into the blood stream and worked quite quickly.

Well, she had wanted to find a human subject to test it on.

Hermione grinned wickedly.

Professor Severus Snape would do just fine.

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A/N: Ah, the story starts. I have a slight idea where it is going…and it should be fun. At least I hope it is. Please review.