Something Much Darker II

“I suppose, Severus,” Dumbledore said, “that it is too late to worry about Miss Granger’s virtue?”

Snape’s face darkened and he replied, “Her virtue is intact. It’s her virginity that is gone.”

Dumbledore inclined his head. “A poor choice of words on my part. I apologize, Severus.” Snape nodded his acceptance of this, and the Headmaster went on. “I must inform Minerva of Miss Granger’s whereabouts, of course. She has been worried about the young lady.”

“Just keep her away from my rooms, Albus. Hermione is not going anywhere until she wakes up, and no one is taking her away from here.”

“Of course, my boy,” Albus said kindly. “I am afraid that we must all have a talk in the morning, however.”

“I am breaking no rules, Albus. Hermione is of age, and she chose me of her own free will,” the Potions Master protested.

“I am sure of that, however, these are unusual circumstances. Decisions must be made. And of course, the young lady’s parents must be informed.”

Severus closed his eyes in disgust. Parents! Of course, she would have to have parents. Muggle parents, no less. He opened his eyes to see a faint look of amusement on Dumbledore’s face. “I do hope you are finding this entertaining, old man,” said Snape in a voice dripping with sarcasm.

“As a matter of fact, I am.” Dumbledore smiled before turning and making his way down the hall, allowing himself a small chuckle as he heard Severus slam the door closed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

Thankfully the sound of the door slamming had not roused Hermione. Snape shed his clothes and eased into bed beside his woman, pulling her close to feel her naked skin against his. In her sleep, she curled an arm over his chest and snuggled into his warmth. Snape was nearly overwhelmed by the unfamiliar tender, protective feelings that flooded through him. He had faced Death Eaters, members of the Order, even Lord Voldemort himself, yet none had frightened him the way what he felt for this slip of a girl did. Never having loved anyone since his mother died, he had no way of knowing that what he felt was the beginning of falling in love. He only knew that the thought of losing her terrified him. He would go to Dumbledore’s “meeting”, but if he or anyone else thought they were going to take Hermione away from him, they were sadly mistaken. Snape was a Slytherin; he got what he wanted. And he wanted Hermione. Tightening his arm around her a bit, he gave himself up to sleep.

~*~*~*~*~*

“HOW COULD YOU LEAVE HER THERE?” Professor McGonnagal exploded. She began pacing around Dumbledore’s office, shouting at him. “Snape was a Death Eater! He took part in their Revels, Albus! You know what that means! Rape, murder, torture!”

“He was much younger then, and confused. He has more than atoned for his past behavior, Minerva,” Dumbledore replied.

“He wasn’t so young when he returned to them as your spy! How do you know he didn’t commit the same crimes as they during his time as a spy?”

“Simple. Voldemort believed Severus to be his spy. Therefore he forbid Severus to associate too much with the other Death Eaters, on the off chance they were apprehended. Severus wouldn’t have been of much use to him in Azkaban, therefore he reported only to Voldemort.”

Minerva stopped pacing to glare at the Headmaster. He returned the look calmly. “He knows of sexual vices that would ruin that innocent child,” she said. “How can you not protect her from him, Albus?”

“She is not a child, Minerva, no matter how much you wish she still was. I know how you love her, I know you want what is best for her. But perhaps Severus is what’s best for her.”

“He’s more than twice her age!”

“Wizards have long lives, Minerva.”

“She doesn’t know what she wants!”

“Obviously she wants Severus.”

Minerva threw up her hands in disgust. “I don’t know why I’m bothering to argue with you.”

“Neither do I, as I am winning,” Dumbledore said with a smile, which earned him another glare from his old friend. “Admit it, Minerva. You would still be upset if Ronald Weasley had been the one to deflower her.”

“At least he cares for her.”

“So does Severus. He called her his darling.”

Professor McGonnagal was taken aback for a moment, but quickly recovered. “Oh, he can say anything he likes. I still believe that he saw a chance to bed a lovely young girl and took it.”

Dumbledore sighed. “Enough, Minerva. Time will tell. Now, it is late and we must be up early tomorrow. We must have a talk with the two of them in the morning. Arrangements must be made for Miss Granger to finish her Potions classes, as Severus can no longer be her teacher in the subject.”

“Are you going to inform her parents that one of her professors took advantage of her?”

“I haven’t decided yet. She is of age, so normally the decision of telling her parents about something so personal would belong to her alone. However, the situation is unusual.” Dumbledore tented his fingers in front of his mouth, thinking.

“Unusual? To say the least,” Minerva answered.

“Goodnight, Minerva,” said Dumbledore firmly, and she understood that she was dismissed.