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 12 ~ Introspection

A month passed without Hermione hearing anything from Severus. She contacted the solicitor, who informed her the patent was still in process and that the Potions Master would contact her when it went through.

Hermione returned to work, but felt rather strange the first few days in her body. She had become used to navigating the wizarding world in the tall, lean, frame of Severus Snape. Now her stride was shorter and her weight oddly distributed, but in about three days she was right again. She did a hair-growing spell so her hair was restored to its proper length, and she began to dress more witchy. When she first returned to the Ministry, she noticed everyone treated her rather coldly. After about a week, they all warmed back up to her, now that she had reverted to her former friendly self. Everyone thought she must have been going through a difficult time and whatever it was, Hermione had ironed it out.

A witch named Sappho walked up to her one afternoon, said she was sorry but it seemed she made a mistake and walked off, leaving a rather perplexed Hermione behind. The worst thing was Ron.

Hermione saw him in passing for the entire month, but both were always rather busy and were satisfied with quick greetings. Toward the end of the month Hermione was feeling a little randy and in the mood for a bit of fun so approached Ron and asked him if he wanted to come over and tangle up the bed sheets for a bit.

Ron blinked at the witch.

"Er, Hermione…I'm…I'm involved with someone now. Looks serious too," Ron said gently, his brown eyes looking a bit confused, "Besides, I thought you said you were seeing someone exclusively?"

Hermione looked taken aback, then scowled.

Severus. That sneaky bastard. He cut Ron off while he was in her body. Shit. She should have fucked him in the ass.

Well, she couldn't let Ron know about the switch, so Hermione said, "Ah, yes. Didn't work out."

Ron looked sympathetic.

"Aw. Too bad Hermione. But you know, you got me thinking. I'm almost thirty now and mum's been after me to settle down, and I'm kind of tired of bouncing from bed to bed. Multiple partners are nice, but I really want a witch of my own now. Maybe a couple of little Rons too," the wizard said. "Harry's married, and he seems happy enough in America with his family. He has two girls and a boy now. Anyway, you know Susannah, the witch I've been seeing on and off for a few years now…"

Hermione nodded.

"Well, she's really a sweet witch, and she never really fooled around with too many wizards…always been kind of stuck on me, even though she knew I was a free spirit. She can cook, clean, take care of a home…she reminds me a lot of mum, you know? A nice witch. So I asked her if we could be…well…an item. And she said yes. It's been nice. Really nice, Hermione. I think she's the one."

Hermione blinked at her friend. It seemed Ron had finally grown up. She was happy for him really.

"That's wonderful, Ron," she said, embracing him and giving him a smile.

"Thanks," he said, frowning just a little. "You going to be all right? You're not going to go back to Vlad are you?"

Hermione shook her head.

"No. Vlad and I have irreconcilable differences," Hermione replied, trying to keep the image of her fucking a tied up and screaming Vlad in the ass with a black strap-on out of her head.

"Well, that's good then," Ron said with a satisfied nod. "You're a good looking witch, Hermione and brilliant. There's a lot of wizards out here who would give their left nut to be with you. You'll find someone."

"Yeah, I will Ron. They say there's someone for everyone. I just haven't met my wizard yet," the witch replied.

They chatted a bit more then went their separate ways. Hermione was pissed at Severus, but realized that if Ron so quickly settled in with Susannah, most likely he had been ready to move on to a real relationship anyway. Knowing Ron, the only reason he hadn't done it sooner was to be available to her as an alternative to Vlad.

Sweet, sweet Ron. Hermione hoped he'd be happy.

Hermione found upon returning to the Ministry, that Severus actually had worked on some of her projects and made a couple of advances. He kept clear notes, and his research was impeccable. Because of his work she was able to get out a Repelling potion by the end of the month. He really was a brilliant wizard.

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Severus sat in the solicitor's office, looking over the patent papers. It seemed everything was in order. Now, all he and Hermione had to do was to go to a few of the many "New Product" expos that popped up all over the wizarding world, and advertise in the top magical trade journals and magazines. They would be well on their way to fame and fortune.

The thing was, he had to go and see Hermione, something he had been avoiding for the past month. Severus was a bit put off by this. He had faced death numerous times as well as the Dark Lord, but felt hesitant to see a little witch.

A little witch that had fucked the shit out of him while in his body.

Since that night, Severus found himself in a state of mind completely alien to him. At first, he questioned his manhood. He had responded to Hermione's domination of him quite passionately. The wizard had wanted it. Did this mean he harbored some secret desire to be fucked by wizards? Was he in the closet? A bottom?

It didn't help that Severus hadn't had the desire to fuck a witch since that night. He thought that might be more proof that he was really batting for the other side. Finally, the wizard had to knuckle under and talk to someone about it. The only one he could think of was Albus. Gods, he hated the idea…but for what seemed like the first time, Severus really needed someone else's opinion, someone who he respected and trusted. Hopefully, Albus would see this as the serious matter it was.

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It took half an hour for Albus to stop laughing as Severus sat in the armchair across from the Headmaster's desk, his arms folded and his eyes glinting darkly at the tearful wizard. If it had been anyone other than Albus laughing about him not only getting trapped in a witch's body but getting fucked by that same witch, Severus would have hexed him into the next decade. But all he could do was wait until the Headmaster calmed down.

"Hermione certainly is brilliant," the Headmaster gasped.

After securing Albus' word that he wouldn't take any belated action, Severus had finally confessed to him about what happened on New Year's Eve and the weekend Hermione stayed with him. At first, the Headmaster was livid. He knew Severus was dark and incorrigible for the most part, but he believed the wizard had some ethics. Obviously not when it came to Hermione Granger. True, she had been the age of consent in both incidences, but she was still young and inexperienced. Until Severus got to her that is.

Which is why Albus was so delighted when he found out the retribution the witch had taken out on the wizard, and the lesson he had been forced to learn.

"Really Severus," the Headmaster chuckled, "You should thank the witch. Not many wizards have the intimate knowledge you do about what makes witches tick. Up to now, we could only guess. This is truly a first, Severus."

"A dubious honor at best, Headmaster. But I find myself…out of sorts now…" the wizard began uncertainly. He had never in his life shared his fears with anyone.

Albus imagined he was out of sorts. Severus' sexual ardor was something whispered about for years, and the Headmaster had heard some disturbing things about the condition he left many witches in. Not that he did them irreparable harm, but still he was known to put a hurting on a pussy. If Hermione demonstrated even a quarter of his ardor when she possessed his body, Albus didn't doubt that the wizard had quite an experience.

"What is the problem my boy? Just say it. I know it is difficult, but just present the facts," Albus said, looking at Severus evenly.

The wizard's black eyes shifted about the office, lingering on the listening portraits.

"Could you send the portraits elsewhere Albus? I would prefer my personal business not be chatted about throughout the wizarding world," Severus said, scowling at the paintings.

Portraits were terrible gossips and loved spreading scandalous news. It was all they could do really, since they were more or less trapped in the world of imagery. Severus believing he might be gay after all these years of reaming witches would be hot news for sure.

Albus looked at the paintings.

"You heard him," Albus said, "Begone. All of you."

Grumbling, the portraits exited their frames, moving to other parts of the castle. Severus cast a silencing charm around them just in case.

Then the wizard talked to Albus, telling him all his fears and what he experienced with Hermione. At first, it was difficult for Severus, but as he talked…it became easier and the weight that seemed to rest on his chest, lightened as the words came out. Finally he was finished, and looked at the Headmaster, half expecting to be scorned and laughed at.

But Albus looked at the wizard thoughtfully.

"You've been given a great gift, Severus…truly you have. You have experienced what it is like to be a witch who has you for a lover. True, you are a wizard, Severus…and a very masculine, testosterone driven one. Sex has always been an outlet for you…the only act you could commit without restraint, the only solace you could find in a world that required strict discipline on your part. You never thought of the witches you took beyond making them orgasm, and even that, Severus, was for your own satisfaction…to prove you were a man in every respect."

"The surrender you experienced with Hermione is not because you harbor some homosexual leanings. For that moment, Severus, you were embroiled in a witch's body and emotions. You reacted as a female, because you were in a female body. You no more want a wizard to fuck you than I do," the Headmaster said. "Most likely, you haven't been partaking of any witches because you are now so aware of what they experience, the emotions that are involved…emotions that you as a wizard had no idea existed. Now that you know how powerful they are, you are hesitant to invoke them since you've always maintained a strong sense of detachment when you took them. Knowing you make another human being feel so much is well…a deterrent now. When Hermione took you, she opened you up to another perspective. Now you see sex from both sides. You can no longer be detached. You are no longer the wizard you once were."

Severus stared at the Headmaster. What he said made sense. Terrible sense. Hermione had not only made him surrender, but made him feel.

Shit. What the fuck was he supposed to do now. Selfish, non-committed sex was his one bright ray in an otherwise dark and lonely life. Now Hermoine had inadvertently given him a damn conscience. Before, all he thought about was how good a witch felt around his cock, not how she felt about what was happening to her and how much rode on him as he rode her. Circe's squealing piglets! How was he supposed to enjoy a quick fuck now?

Severus' expression grew terrible. She'd ruined him. Hermione had ruined him.

Suddenly Severus stood up.

"Thank you for listening, Headmaster. I know what I have to do now," the wizard said, his black eyes glittering.

Albus looked up at him.

"Are you sure, Severus?" Albus asked him curiously, "Would you mind sharing your epiphany with me?"

Albus thought this was the least the wizard could do. Advising Severus Snape on his lust life was a once in a lifetime occurrence. He would like to know the results of his efforts.

"Certainly, Headmaster. I intend to go back to the source," the Potions Master replied silkily.

"Ah, closure," the Headmaster replied, his blue eyes twinkling behind his half-moon glasses.

"Something like that," Severus replied, exiting through the floo.

Severus stepped out into his study and wasted no time gathering up the patent papers. Then he walked into his bedroom and into his bathroom, pulling open his medicinal stores and taking out a jar of salve, pocketing it.

"You may have taken your inch of flesh, Hermione Granger, but now its time to pay the Potions Master, witch," he said under his breath. "I can't get back what you've taken from me, or return what you've given me...but I am still very much a man…and you're going to prove that to me. Over and over."

With a snarl and a great billow of robes, Severus disapparated.

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A/N: Woo hoo. Severus is on his way, Hermione. And he isn't taking this lying down (this time heh heh) Please review.