Saving Miss Granger (Small Edit)

Chapter 13 ~ Preparations


Susan Weasley sent Harry an owl asking him to come by. Ron had been acting strangely for the past month, and the witch was very concerned about him. Concerned and suspicious. It didn’t help that she was five months pregnant and feeling terrible about herself as her figure rounded and her breasts, belly and ankles swelled.

Ron hadn’t come near her in almost four weeks. When Susan tried to initiate intimacy, Ron would tell her he wasn’t in the mood for sex and roll over so his back was facing her. This was odd behavior for her husband. Ron had always been perpetually randy. She thought it might be because of the changes her body was going through, but Ron assured her that wasn’t the case. He was just “going through something” but wouldn’t tell the witch what it was.

One night Susan asked him, “Ron, are you cheating on me?”

The wizard turned over and looked at her incredulously.

“No, Susan! Why are you asking me that?” he responded, though inwardly he felt guilty. He hadn’t been able to perform for his wife since Hermione turned him down. Actually it was guilt that rendered the wizard impotent…and he stayed in a black mood because of it.

Ron was at work when Harry arrived at his home to talk to Susan, who explained the situation, somewhat embarrassed. But Harry knew Ron better than anyone. Maybe he could tell her something. Anything.

“Susan, Ron loves you. He hasn’t cheated on you…I’m sure of it,” Harry said to the distraught witch.

“Well, something is wrong with him, and he won’t tell me what it is,” she replied. “I’m going crazy, Harry and I don’t know what to do. Sometimes I feel like going back to mother and father.”

Harry looked at the witch. If she left Ron he knew the wizard would go insane. Susan, formerly Susan Bones of Hufflepuff was a good wife to the wizard. She understood him and was mellow enough to deal with his bouts of insensitivity and hot temper. They made a good couple.

“No, don’t do that Susan. I’ll talk to him and see if I can get to the bottom of it. He’ll be his old self again in no time,” the wizard assured her.

Susan thanked him and Harry returned to the Ministry and found Ron in the Auror staff room, having a cup of coffee, sitting at the farthest table alone staring down into the black brew. Harry joined him.

“Hey there, Ron,” he said to the red-haired wizard, who grunted back a greeting.

He had been quite elusive since that night at Hogwarts and really hadn’t talked to Harry for the entire month either. Hermione turning him down and getting randy for Lucius right in front of him had hurt his ego terribly, and it translated into every other part of his life. He was reprimanded recently for his brutal treatment of a death eater that turned himself in of his own accord. Ron kicked his ass anyway. Luckily for him, there was no great public support for death eaters so he wasn’t sacked. He was just written up and put on ninety days of probation.

“Ron, I’ve just come from your house. Susan called me over to talk. She is thinking of going back home and leaving you,” Harry said to the wizard.

Ron’s blue eyes went wide.

“What! Whatever for?” he spluttered, sitting up straight on the wooden chair.

“You’re not…er…paying enough attention to her,” Harry said, lifting his eyebrows a bit so Ron would get the gist of it.

Ron’s face sunk a bit.

“Oh, that,” he said sullenly, slumping back.

“Ron, you need to go see Dumbledore and get obliviated so you can go on with your life without thinking about what happened or didn’t happen between you and Hermione.”

Ron scowled.

“It’s not fair Harry. She accepted everyone else. Why not me?” Ron asked him.

“It’s because you’re not just any wizard, Ron. You’re her friend. Hermione didn’t want to be the witch who you were unfaithful with. If you feel like this now, imagine how you would feel if you had shagged her,” Harry replied.

“I wanted her so much,” the wizard sighed, “Just once. One time was all I wanted Harry…just to see what it would have been like.”

Harry nodded.

“But she’s not for you, Ron…Susan is. She’s your wife and she’s carrying your child,” he said.

Ron took another sip of his coffee and grimaced. It was cold. Then he looked at Harry.

“Harry, I love Susan. I really do with all my heart. She’s the only witch who ever got me, and she is patient and can deal with me when I’m acting like an idiot. Plus she can cook and clean…she’s just like my mum, you know? I appreciate her. It’s just…just…hell I don’t know what it is. I’m a fucking madman,” Ron said, his brow furrowing.

Harry studied his friend.

“Ron, you need to go see Dumbledore and let him obliviated the memory of that night. Hagrid, Flitwick, Draco and Firenze had it done, and they’re fine,” he said.

Ron looked at him curiously.

“What about you, Harry? Did she…did she let you…?” Ron asked him, jealousy already blazing in his eyes.

Harry shook his head.

“The spell wore off by the time I got my turn,” Harry said, “I only held her hand. That was it. I didn’t want to shag her anyway, Ron. It would have been like incest.”

“Not for me,” Ron replied, his gaze unfocused for a moment. Then he sighed and looked at Harry. “You know…I think you’re right. I’m making Susan suffer for no reason. I’m going to go to Hogwarts right after work and let Dumbledore straighten me out.”

Harry gave his friend a broad smile.

“Good move, Ron,” the wizard said, reaching over the table and patting him on the shoulder in delight.

Ron didn’t realize how blessed he was to have someone who loved him the way Susan did. It would be a real shame to lose his relationship with his wife over something that could never, ever be. Harry was glad the wizard decided to have the memory of Hermione’s rejection removed.

Ron was as good as his word. As soon as he got off work, the wizard apparated to Hogwarts and the Headmaster removed both his memories of that night, and Harry’s conversation that afternoon, sending the wizard on his way.

When Ron finally arrived at the flat, the first thing he did was grab Susan roughly, kiss her passionately, then threw her over his shoulder and headed straight for the bedroom.

If the witch thought her husband no longer found her physically attractive, Ron thoroughly disproved that theory several times before he fell into a sated sleep, leaving Susan exhausted and ecstatic. Whatever Harry had said to him obviously sank in.

The witch was quite pleased with his turnaround and Ron never thought about shagging Hermione again.

**************************************

Severus made the arrangements for his night out with Hermione. After class that Wednesday evening he apparated to the exclusive Bee’s Knees and made reservations. At first, he was told there were no tables available by a rather snooty, monocled maitre'd named Alexander who stared at his teaching robes distastefully as he addressed the dark wizard.

“Sir, do you know who I am?” Severus said, his nostrils flared angrily.

“No, sir…I don’t. And if I did, it would make no difference. All the tables are booked for Friday night,” Alexander replied evenly, twirling the end of his pencil mustache.

“My name is Severus Snape,” the Potions Master said, his black eyes glinting dangerously, “The same Severus Snape who orchestrated the downfall of the Dark Lord.”

Alexander paled noticeably.

“Voldemort was killed primarily because I grew tired of his treatment of me…not because I was on a courageous quest to save the wizarding world at large. I do not like being mistreated, Alexander. I react very, very badly to it. To be denied a table at this restaurant on Friday night would be an act of mistreatment on your part as far as I am concerned. So consider that before you reply to me again. Now, I would like to make a reservation for a party of two at seven-thirty this Friday night,” Severus said, frowning. “I would like the table to be as exclusive as possible, yet on the ballroom floor level.”

Alexander’s Adam’s apple worked up and down quickly as he gazed at the dark wizard. It was common knowledge Severus Snape was a former deatheater, and the maitre’d had no doubt that he would do some damage if he were denied a table. Personal damage. He also noticed the wizard’s wand hand was twitching and grew even paler.

Alexander walked stiffly over to a small podium on which rested a large book, presumably of reservations. He leafed through it and opened a page, scanning it for the party least likely to complain about being booted from the roster. He found a couple who had never been to the Bee’s Knees before, picked up a magical eraser and quickly removed their names. It would take some juggling of other patrons, but he could arrange the table the wizard asked for. The wizard looked up at Severus.

“I believe a table has just become available, Mr. Snape,” the wizard said rather nervously.

The Potions Master nodded, pleased.

**************************************

Severus’ next stop was to “Markin’s Shop of Fancy Tailored Garb.” The wizard had suits, but he wanted to look particularly sharp for his night out with Hermione. He entered the shop, which was a small open area. No suits were evident. Everything here was tailor-made. A short, round, bald wizard in bifocals looked up from a small counter, his quick hazel eyes appraising the tall, pale wizard’s body type. He was lean, but well-built.

“Good evening, sir,” the wizard said politely, “My name is Sam Markin, and I am the owner and tailor of this shop. How may I help you?”

”I need a suit,” Severus said, walking up to the counter and staring down at the rotund wizard. “A formal suit, suitable for a night of dining and dancing at an exclusive establishment. Galleons are no object.”

Mr. Markin's eyes lit up at the Potions Master’s reply. This was the kind of customer he loved. Obviously, despite his attire, the wizard was one of quality.

“Very good, sir,” Sam replied, “Please come with me into the back fitting room. I need you to remove your robes so I can take your measurements.”

Severus walked around the counter and followed Sam into the back room.

It wasn’t a very large room…maybe sixteen feet by twelve, and filled with the tools of Sam's trade.. Bolts of fabric rested on floor to ceiling shelves, a ladder on rollers leaning against them. A number of wooden mannequins on rollers in all shapes and sizes stood in various corners of the room. Measuring tapes, scissors, parchment paper, patterns and threads hung on the walls. A long counter rested against the far wall, covered with scraps, fabric quills, pencils and large books. Another door led out of the room into another part of the shop.

“Will you need shoes as well?” the tailor asked as Severus began to unbutton his robes. The Potions Master looked down at his boots. He didn’t have a pair of dress shoes.

“Yes,” he replied.

“Fine. I also sell the finest quality footwear here,” Sam replied, eyeing his measuring tapes before selecting one.

He then picked up a quill and a piece of parchment, held all three items together and whispered a charm. The items glowed momentarily, then he set the parchment on the counter and lay the quill on top of it and turned to Severus, who had removed his robes. Sam studied him. Yes lean, but with definition. The wizard had some muscle on him.

He directed Severus to the bolts of fabric.

“First we need to select what grade of fabric you wish to use for your suit. Judging by your coloring I assume you will be going with black, sir?” Sam asked him as the wizard walked over to the shelves and began feeling the corners of fabrics between his thumb and forefinger.

”Yes, black is the standard for me,” Severus replied, moving down the shelves. He stopped in front of a rich black fabric, his pale fingertips caressing it gently.

“I like this,” he said to Sam who walked over and nodded approvingly.

”One hundred and thirty grade, a fine fabric indeed,” he said to the wizard. “And expensive too,” he thought as he pulled the bolt out. He looked at Severus.

”White silk for the shirt, I presume?” the tailor asked him.

Severus looked thoughtful.

“Yes, that will be fine,” the wizard replied.

“Is there any particular way you would like the suit to fall on your shoulders, waist and shoes?” the tailor asked him. Severus considered this.

“I will trust your judgment. You are the Master Tailor. I am sure you know your art,” the Potions Master replied.

”Smart wizard,” Sam thought. Then he said, “Please spread your arms, Mr….”

“Snape,” Severus told him, lifting his arms and extending them on either side of his body.

Sam tossed the measuring tape into the air and it began to measure the wizard. On the counter, the quill stood up wrote the measurements on the charmed parchment. Sam removed the bolt of fabric from the shelf and brought it over to the counter.

Severus stood very still as the tape wrapped itself around his neck, across his shoulders, down his arms, around his chest, waist, hips and down the length of his legs inside and out. The quill scribbled busily as Sam selected a pattern and a sharp pair of shears.

”This should do nicely,” he said to himself. He whispered another charm and pins flew out of a small box and attached the pattern to the fabric neatly.

“Do you have buttons with the Slytherin Crest?” Severus asked the tailor.

Sam smiled at him.

“We certainly do. Lord Malfoy always requests his suit and shirt have Slytherin buttons,” he replied, walking over to a cubby space and retrieving two boxes.

The tailor opened them and brought the boxes over to Severus so he could approve the buttons. Yes, they were perfect. The Potions Master nodded his approval and Sam took the boxes over to the counter. He then retrieved a bolt of fine white silk and prepared the fabric for the shirt as he did for the suit.

Presently, the measuring tape flew back to the wall, its job completed. Sam picked up the parchment and studied the measurements for a moment, then pulled out his wand and proceeded to make the appropriate changes in the pattern, the pins magically readjusting themselves as he did so. Finally he seemed satisfied. He turned to Severus.

“Your suit will be ready tomorrow,” he said to the wizard.

Never a man to pull punches, Severus went right to the point.

“How much?” he asked the tailor.

“Two thousand galleons will cover it,” the tailor replied.

The wizard nodded. Good suits cost good money. Hermione was worth it. More than worth it.

”I will give you my account information when I pick up the suit tomorrow,” the wizard said.

“Very good sir,” Sam replied, and showed the wizard out.

As Severus exited the shop, Sam looked after him thoughtfully.

“He’s going to look good in the suit,” the tailor mused, “but he really needs to do something about his hair.”

*******************************************

As Severus walked down the sidewalk, he caught a glimpse of himself in a shop’s glass window. He stopped and looked at himself appraisingly, particularly his hair. The Potions Master really had nice, silky hair, but it was fine and he didn’t do anything to condition it, so it hung lankly. He frowned at himself.

“I might as well go the distance,” he thought as he studied his reflection.

Severus turned, headed up the street and stopped in front of a beauty shop. It had very dark tint on the windows. He looked up at the sign and read the name.

Lovebites Beauty Shop

Severus frowned a little. That was an odd name.

Suddenly the door to the shop opened and a round, pale wizard with large, long-lashed blue eyes and dressed in a bright green robe with yellow stars appeared, staring up at the Potions Master with a look that could only be described as fascination.

“Aren’t you positively delicious?” he said, smiling coquettishly at the wizard. “My name is Adam Sweetmeats, and I am the owner of Lovebites. And you are?”

”Stunned,” Severus replied, looking the effeminate wizard over.

Adam grinned.

“I have that effect on people,” he replied. Then his blue eyes swept over Severus, finally focusing on his hair.

”Well, Mr. Stunned, you could really use a good shampoo and conditioning. Your hair looks absolutely tormented. You really need to come in here and let me give you a good going over,” the wizard said, smiling again. “I’ll even give you a ‘yum-yum’ discount.”

Severus didn’t want to even think what a ‘yum-yum’ discount was about. And the statement of giving him a "good going over" was enough to make him slightly nauseous. But he did like a bargain. The Potions Master looked down at the wizard and noticed he had rather sharp eyeteeth. He was also so pale, his skin almost seemed translucent. Still, the strange wizard did have a shop, so he must know his business. Severus peeked over the wizard, looking into the shop. Adam knew why he was looking.

“It’s empty right now. Most of my clients come in the morning and early afternoon, so you don’t have to worry about a clutch of witches cackling over your treatment,” Adam said, “It will just be you and I.”

Suddenly a tall, well-built and pale wizard with blonde hair and a skull earring appeared in the doorway, scowling at Severus and standing very close to Adam…quite possessively in fact. Adam looked over his shoulder at the wizard and gave him a little pout. He looked back at Severus.

“Well, you, I and Victor,” he amended. “Victor is my partner.”

Severus eyed the handsome wizard. Partner, eh? By the way he was hovering over the chubby little wizard, the Potions Master was sure that their ‘partnership’ went much farther than business. Well, that made him less uncomfortable. With his boyfriend there, Adam most likely wouldn’t be putting any real moves on him. Severus didn’t have a problem with gay wizards as long as they understood that he didn’t go that way himself. What a person did in their bedroom and with who was his or her own business.

Severus hesitated.

“You are certain you can make my hair more…more…appealing?” he asked the beautician.

“As sure as I am that blood is thicker than water,” Adam replied, a small smirk on his face. Victor smirked also and for some reason that made the Professor’s blood run a bit cold. But still, he wanted to look his best for Hermione.

“Very well, I’ll come in…but if I don’t like the results you won’t get one sickle out of me,” the Potions Master said, scowling at the wizard.

“You’ll absolutely love it,” Adam replied, catching Severus by his arm. “Move out of the way, Victor…another victim coming through.”

Victor sullenly stepped aside and let them pass, following closely behind, his green eyes burning a hole in the Professor’s back. They turned fiery red for a moment as Adam sat Severus down in a swivel chair in front of a large sink and fussed over him, lifting his long, lank, black locks. Adam loved long hair on a man.

Unfortunately, when Victor was turned, his hair had been short. Sentient vampires always looked as they did at the time of death. He couldn’t grow his hair out. But if he were to cut it off, it would grow back immediately, the same length and style.

Victor growled at the back of his throat then stalked over to the waiting area, plopped down into a seat and picked up a magazine, pretending to look through it. His Queen was such a damned flirt. Well, he’d give Adam something during their next encounter that would make him think twice about flirting with tall, pale mortals.

There was no lover like a vampire lover, after all.

Adam whirled the seat containing the Potions Master around, showing surprising strength. The wizard now had his back to the sink and the Queen slid him closer.

“Bend over backwards, Mr. Stunned,” the wizard purred.

Severus shuddered.

Dear gods. What he was willing to go through to get some quality pussy.

******************************************
A/N: Lol. I had to do this. I LOVE Adam and Victor. For those of you who don’t know these characters, they are from my story “Love Bites” Adam was a gay wizard who was bitten by Victor and surprisingly turned into a Vampire Queen because he really was a woman on the inside. He killed the old queen and took over the clutch, taking Victor as his lover and making life better for his minions. He petitioned the Ministry to open a beauty shop since the vampires didn’t hunt humans, and after a long struggle, they agreed. Severus is certainly going all out for this date. Please review.