A Working Relationship

A Working Relationship


Disclaimer: All canon charactare are the property of JK Rowling and those with whom she has agreed contracts. This story was written for practice not profit.

In the Morning

Severus woke with a start. He experienced a momentary feeling of panic when he realised he was not alone, but within a few seconds he remembered the events of the previous evening. The room was still in darkness and he could hear Hermione’s steady breathing as she slumbered. He wondered what the time was and moving carefully, he caught hold of the candle on the bedside table and whispered it into life. It cast just enough light to enable him to read his pocket watch. It was just after ten past five. At a reasonable estimate, he had lain awake until gone two.

Putting the watch back down he turned back to look at Hermione in the dimness. She was lying on her side facing him wier her hair spread everywhere. She wore only the chemise that normally went under her robe and it had slipped down at the neck, allowing him to see an improper amount of breast. As he looked he realised he could see her nipple outlined in the flimsy fabric. He felt a sudden pang of guilt about ogling her in her sleep and made the effort to concentrate on her face. One long curl of her hair lay diagonally across it and driven by impulse he gently lifted it away. Her face was pale in the candlelight and her lashes and brows were dark against it. Her mouth was slightly open and she occasion pre pressed her lips together before opening them again. She looked so young. Whatever did the fates have in store for them that had induced her to fall for him so abruptly? It was unsettling to reflect on how quickly she had become important to him. How would he feel if or when she withdrew her affection? Would there come a day when she no longer cared?

She rolled in her sleep and her body came to rest against his. She woke momentarily and muttered his name, nest to to him. He encircled her with his arms and held her. The chemise had obviously ridden up in her sleep as her legs were bare against his. He could now smell the scent of her hair. Sighing, he whispered, “Nox,” and the room was dark once more.

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Hermione woke to find herself alone in Severus’ bed. She could hear water running in the bathroom. She squinted at her watch. It was almost seven o’ clock and there was work to be done. Her mouth felt disgusting. That was what happened when you’d drunk firewhisky. The water stopped running and Severus appeared in the doorway.

“I was going to let you sleep in a little,” he said, on seeing her awake. “Did I disturb you?”

“I don’t think so,” she said with a yawn. “I take it I’ll be working on my project today?”

“I think that would be best. I’m going to meet with Minerva now before she fetches the boys in. I think it’s just going to be school business. If there’s anything else I’ll fill you in over breakfast. I’ll be eating in the Hall if you want to join me. I ought to be visible today after last night’s events.”

“I think I’ll stay here and eat anen Ien I can carry on from last night. If my Mum and Dad are going to come up I might have to see them later.”

“As you wish. Make yourself at home until I get back… Hermione?”

“What?”

“Thank-you for choosing to stay. It was preferable to being alone.”

Before she could answer, he was gone.

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“Good morning Severus,” said Minerva as he entered the Headmaster’s office. She was seated at the desk with a cup of tea in front of her. The portraits were still sleeping and Fawkes was in place, on his perch, with his head under his wing. “Help yourself,” she said, gesturing towards the pot. “It’s freshly made.”

He poured himself a cup and added a slice of lemon before sitting down to face her.

“How was Hermione when you left her?” she enquired.

He raised an eyebrow. “Does anyone occupying that chair automatically become omnipotent?”

“Don’t be silly,” she replied icily. “I went down to inform her that her parents had arrived safely. They went to bed when they got here. Apparently operating one of those vehicle things is very tiring. When I got there her room was empty.usedused a spell to find her wand. It was in your bedroom, and I take it, so was she.”

“She’ll be pleased to know they’re safe. She was worried last night when I told her.”

“How much did you tell her?”

“More than I told you.”

“What are you doing to that child Severus?”

“We’ve been through this Minerva. She’s legally an adult. I do not feel I have anything to reproach myself for so far… Not as far as she’s concerned.”

“Did she spend the night in your bed?”

“Yes.”

“With you?”

“Yes.”

“Are you or are you not lovers?”

“She is in love with me. Her feelings are very strong, as they often are with teenagers. If you are asking me whether or not we have engaged in sexual intimacy, I can say that we have not yet, although it seems quite likely that we will do so shortly.”

“And how do you plan to explain this to her parents?”

“I have no plans to speak to her parents about anything. There are other members of the Order who are far more capable of talking to Muggles than I.”

“How can you sit there and say that?” exploded the elderly witch in a fit of passion. “Do you have anylinglings for the girl at all?”

“I did not ask for her to fall in love with me. I was shocked when she revealed the depth of her feelings, but I have elected to respect them and treat her as an adult woman, who is capable of having an adult relationship.”

“You’re evading the question. Are you in love with Miss Granger?”

“I have made it clear to her that I am only interested in pursuing a relationship if it is leading towards marriage.”

“Are you in love with her, or are you merely trifling with her affections!” Minerva was practically shouting now, infuriated at his refusal to give a straight answer to her question.

“I have never ‘trifled’ with anything in my entire life. I cannot give a clear answer to your question because I do not know the answer. This has allpenepened very quickly. I have committed myself to protect her to the best of my ability regarding this prophecy… I believe her to be a suitable person to take as a wife. She has a good brain and is unlikely to be deceitful. Moreover I am not displeased to find myself the recipient of her attentions. She not unattractive and I find I welcome her companionship… If that adds up to an adequate semblance of love… then let it be said.”

“You’re a cold fish Severus, you really are,” she said wearily.

“And you make good use of my lack of feeling,” he said quietly. “I can carry on cutting throats with the enemy while you mourn with the relatives of the deceased.”

“Cut… Severus did you participate in those murders?”

“Of course I did. Why do you think I was ordered to go there? Do I have to spell it out to you?”

“It never occurred to me to ask. It should have done. I’m sorry… Did you tell Hermione this?”

“I did. She seems to realise that I have feelings and wanted to comfort me. That is why she slept with me. We did nothing but hold each other. She offered more but It het her to be sure… I do not intend to harm her. You have my word.”

“Someone’s coming…”

Minerva got up and went towards the staircase. Severus followed her, hand on wand. Being taller than she, he could see over her shoulder easily. He rolled his eyes when he saw the intruder. It was Moody.

The retired Auror clunked his way up the steps and checked the security of the room before sitting down. Severus watched him through half closed eyes. “I thought you were going to stay with Albus,” he said in a bored tone.

“Severus…” warned Minerva.

“I’m sad to say Albus Dumbledore has no need of my help… or any wizard’s in this world,” he said, solemnly. “He died half an hour ago.”

He turned to glare at Severus menacingly. “He was poisoned!”