Love Bites (REPOST)

Chapter 14 ~ Receiving Assistance

"Well, that explains it then," Headmistress Antagio said, sounding relieved after hearing Professor Snape's troubles.

"Explains what, Headmistress?" Hermione asked.

The witch gave Hermione a rather embarrassed look.

"As you know, I am married Dr. Granger, and go home every weekend to be with my husband. Last night I had a very strong urge to see him, so floo'd him and invited him to stay the night with me. It was quite a busy night. The busiest we've had in years," she said in a rather awed voice.

Hermione blinked at the Headmistress. She was in her early nineties, just past middle age actually in witch years. She must have been near Severus when he began to exude Vashti's power.

"My husband left this morning holding his back, but smiling," the Headmistress said.

Hermione didn't know what to say to this, but it occurred to her that this older witch was seeing more action than she was.

"Last night, the Professor was assaulted in his rooms. It seems his ailment has affected the female staff as well. I am going to have to keep him quarantined," Hermione said, blushing a bit at the implications that keeping him in her rooms would suggest.

"Where will you quarantine him?" the Headmistress asked. "The infirmary must be kept open and you will have female patients, Dr. Granger."

"Currently, he is domiciled in my rooms, Headmistress," Hermione said.

Volaria's eyebrows rose a bit.

"In your rooms, Dr. Granger?" she asked the witch.

Volaria had no problem with staff members being involved with each other as long as they were discreet, but a lust-charmed wizard had to be quite a roommate.

"Yes, Headmistress. But I am using a Clarification potion to fight the lust. It keeps my head clear and I am able to realize the attraction for what it is, a spell…and resist it," she explained.

Volaria nodded, then looked thoughtful.

"I think, Dr. Granger, that helping Professor Snape will be very time consuming. I will arrange an assistant for you to handle the infirmary duties while you seek a way to stop his turning. Maybe a male intern. I will contact them this morning," the Headmistress said.

"Thank you Headmistress, I was going to ask you if that would be possible," Hermione replied.

"We must do all we can to help keep the Professor among the living. He gave so much of himself in those dark times when Voldemort reigned," Volaria replied.

"My feelings exactly," Hermione agreed, rising. "I need to go to the library now to locate some books on vampirism. Hopefully the restricted section has some tomes that go in depth."

Volaria nodded and stood.

"I hope you can help him Dr. Granger. I have a feeling, with your background, he couldn't have a better witch helping him," the Headmistress said. "Good luck."

"Thank you, Headmistress," Hermione said, exiting Volaria's office and heading down the corridor. There was still time for breakfast.

A sudden trill sounded and Volaria turned around in her chair to look at her familiar, Nyim-Nyam, a brightly colored Bird of Paradise with a long, beautiful tail. He cocked his head at her, then fluttered his wings, sending her an image of two Birds of Paradise actively engaged in mating followed by a question mark.

Volaria looked put out, then suddenly blushed.

"Details? What Zotan and I did exactly is none of your business, Nyim-Nyam. Mind your own feathers you naughty old bird," the Headmistress said to him with irritation, turning back around with a flourish and busily attacking the parchments on her desk.

Nyim-Nyam made a noise that sounded very much like a chuckle.

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Hermione took the shifting stairwells down to the main hall, and entered the Great Hall through the double doors. There were still people there, including the female staff…most of them anyway. Sybil and Pomona were noticeably absent.

Hermione mounted the dais and took her customary seat. She was immediately aware of eyes on her. She looked down the table to find the remaining female staff scowling at her. She immediately knew the cause was Severus. They all knew he was in the infirmary.

Hermione ordered a soft-boiled egg, toast and a glass of grapefruit juice. Her stomach felt unsettled.

Professor Sinistra sidled up and sat in the empty seat next to her.

"Good morning, Dr. Granger," she said in an unpleasant voice.

"Good morning, Professor Sinistra," Hermione replied coolly as her breakfast appeared in front of her. She took a sip of grapefruit juice and puckered slightly.

"I understand Professor Snape is supposedly ill and in the infirmary," Sinistra said.

"Professor Snape is ill and in quarantine," Hermione replied. "Most likely he will be there for an unspecified amount of time."

"What's wrong with him?" the witch asked her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Hermione turned toward the witch.

"I'm afraid I cannot discuss that with you, Professor. It would violate doctor/patient confidentiality," she replied evenly.

"Aw. Isn't that convenient. So you have him locked up there alone with you…all to yourself," the witch sneered, her green eyes glittering at Hermione. "Convenient and distinctly unfair. You should share him you know."

Hermione frowned at the randy witch.

"I just told you the Professor is in quarantine. His ailment is contagious to an extent. It will not make you sick, but it will affect you…actually you have been exposed to it, Professor, which is why you are so interested in him now. The Professor is an ill man…not a stud to service randy witches. I suggest you either find yourself a wizard to relieve your 'distress' or an anti-lust potion…and that is my professional opinion," Hermione said, her eyes narrowed.

Professor Sinistra looked quite taken aback by this advice from the witch. She frowned at Hermione and rose from the seat.

"Well I never," the witch said, stalking off and sitting down with the other witches, who all leaned in to hear what Hermione had said to her.

"I bet you have, Professor…a thousand times over," Hermione retorted under her breath as she cracked her egg.

All the staff looked at her with narrowed eyes, and Ginny Weasley stalked by her without a word. Hermione didn't give a damn. She quickly ate her breakfast and left the Great Hall. If another one of the witches confronted her, she might find herself with a pair of webbed hands and feet.

Hermione headed for the library. Upon entering she saw Ginny Weasley behind the counter. The red-haired witch looked up at her with narrowed eyes. Good gods.

"I need to get some books from the restricted section," Hermione told her.

"It's open," Ginny replied shortly, glaring at the witch.

"Thanks," Hermione snorted at her.

Gods. All these randy witches wanting the Professor. It was awful. That curse was something else. Hermione walked to the gated section of the library, opened the door and walked in. If she hadn't been staff, the door would not have opened. She walked to the catalogue, pulled open the "V" file and started searching.

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Hermione returned to the infirmary a bit pissed, having to argue with Ginny about the number of books she was withdrawing, finally saying the Headmistress gave her permission to use all the resources she needed, effectively shutting the red-haired little spitfire up. She did have quite a few books, but she needed every one of them.

Hermione backed into the infirmary doors and pushed them open, spinning as she entered. She had so many books in her arms, she could barely see. The witch was so mad about her altercation with Ginny, she didn't think to reduce them.

As she staggered up the hall, she heard a rather high male voice say, "Oh my goodness, let me help you with those."

Immediately, half her load disappeared. She looked to see a stout young wizard in a blue uniform, with wire-frame glasses, brown hair and heavily lashed big blue eyes looking at her.

"I'm Adam. I was sent over from St. Mungo's to assist here at Hogwarts. You're Dr. Granger I presume?" he said carrying the books into her office and stacking them on her desk. Hermione followed him. He had a rather effeminate walk for a wizard. He turned to her and took the rest of the books, piling them neatly next to the first stack.

"I could've died when they told me I was coming to Hogwarts, just died," he gushed, holding out a limp-wristed hand to shake Hermione's.

"Well, welcome Adam," Hermione said, taking his hand. His handshake was rather weak, but warm. "You're going to have a bit of responsibility here. I am involved in a medical situation that is probably going to take up all my time. Do you have your credentials?"

The wizard reached into his pocket and removed a folded parchment, handing it to Hermione with a flourish.

"All there," he said, smiling sweetly.

He looked at the books while Hermione read over his paperwork. Yes, he was qualified.

"Ooh, vampires. I think vampires are just to die for, all tall, pale and yummy," he commented. Hermione looked up at him.

Yummy? Circe's pigs.

"Adam, you realize that everything that happens in the infirmary, stays in the infirmary. That's my number one rule," Hermione said, looking at the wizard.

"Oh, of course. I'm sure there are other things to gossip about," he said smiling. "I do love a good gab with the girls now and then."

Hermione snorted.

"Well you'll fit in fine here then. But most of the witches you come in contact with will want to talk about what is going on here. I need a Wizard's Oath from you that you won't reveal any details about Professor Snape except to say he is in treatment," Hermione said.

Adam looked at her.

"A Wizard's Oath?" he repeated.

"Yes, if you want to work in my infirmary," Hermione replied.

Adam was put off about this. He could have had some juicy information to tease the other witches with. He really was a terrible gossip. But he wanted to work in the infirmary, so…

"I solemnly swear not to tell anyone anything about Professor Snape except he's in treatment, so help me Hannah," he said, rolling his eyes exaggeratedly and pouting.

Hermione stared at the wizard as the magic swirled around them, sealing the Oath. Whoever Hannah was evidently invoking her was fine.

Hermione began showing Adam where everything was when she heard the wall to her rooms slide open. Apparently, the Potions Master had figured out the pattern. Severus stuck his head out.

"I wanted to stretch my legs," he called to Hermione, "Is it safe?"

Hermione nodded.

"Yes, for the time being," she replied.

Adam stared at the tall, pale wizard striding toward him with the grace of a jungle cat.

"Oh my gods, I've just died and gone to wet dream land," he breathed. "Look at that nose."

Hermione looked at the wizard and clapped her hand to her forehead.

Severus walked up to them, his black eyes flicking over Adam, who looked as if he were about to swoon.

"Hello Dr. Granger," Severus said looking down at Hermione.

"Hello, Professor. Allow me to introduce my assistant, Adam…Adam...er…" she began.

Adam stepped up and held out his hand to Severus a bit floppily.

"Adam Sweetmeats," he said, "And I am pleased as pumpkin juice to make your acquaintance, Professor."

Severus looked at his proffered hand and gave it a quick pump.

"Mr. Sweetmeats," he said, scowling inwardly at having to address a wizard by such a name.

Adam covered the hand Severus shook protectively with his other and let out something very close to a titter, his blue eyes staring up at the Potions Master and blinking coquettishly.

Severus looked down at the stout wizard with a frown. Hermione quickly stepped between the dark wizard and the smitten assistant.

"Adam, my potions stores are right there on the far wall. I'd like you to go through it and familiar yourself with what's there," she said.

Adam looked at her, then back at Severus.

"Yes, doctor," he replied, bouncing off to the potions stores.

Both Severus and Hermione looked after him, then Severus turned his head back toward the witch.

"I thought you said you were getting a male assistant," he groused.

Hermione continued to stare at Adam.

"Well, he is male, Professor. You can't deny that," she replied.

"Yes, but how male?" he asked her, frowning. "Dr. Granger, I have enough problems with randy witches. I really don't feel like walking around here with my buttocks clenched together."

Hermione looked at him, then began to walk toward her office.

"I really don't think you have to worry about that, Professor," she said as Severus followed her, glad the wizard was behind her so he couldn't see her grin, "Adam seems to be a 'bottom.'"

Severus stopped just outside her office.

"A 'bottom?'" he repeated.

Hermione looked up at the dark wizard coolly.

"The 'girl' half," she said suggestively.

Severus' looked at her for a moment until realization dawned on him, and he grimaced and looked down the hall at Adam, who was currently bent over examining the stores on the lower shelves, his ass up in the air.

The Professor blanched and looked quickly back at Hermione.

"Get another assistant," he said to the witch hoarsely.

Hermione walked around her desk and opened the top drawer, taking out a few paper clips and putting them into her pocket before answering him.

"Come now, Professor. Don't tell me you're a homophobe," she said.

Severus scowled at her.

"Normally Dr. Granger, I don't care what a person's sexual orientation is. But Mr. Sweetmeats over there seems to be attracted to me. That makes his orientation something of a concern," the wizard said.

Hermione looked at him.

"Professor, sexual attraction works the same way, no matter the orientation. If Adam makes an advance toward you, simply tell him the same thing you would tell a woman who doesn't suit your fancy. That you're not interested. It is a simply thing, really," shee said.

Severus frowned.

"I would prefer not to even enter that kind of conversation," he responded. "There is something inherently wrong with me having to tell another man I don't want to shove my cock up his ass. He should know that."

For a moment, Hermione got a little image in her mind what Adam's reaction to Severus' monster cock would be. It certainly wasn't the same as hers. She shoved the image out of her mind.

"Professor, I cannot dismiss Adam because he is gay," she said evenly, "and even if I could, I wouldn't. According to his paperwork, he is a fine medi-witch. He qualifies to be my assistant. So you'd better get used to him. Or to walking around with your butt clenched," she said with finality.

Severus looked at the witch blackly.

Fine.

He had planned on being somewhat gentle with Hermione when he bedded her, but the witch's blatant disregard of his wishes concerning this highly uncomfortable sexual situation made him think a bit differently. He was going to give her one good, thorough fucking. She'd be walking about like she'd been on a weeklong hippogriff excursion by the time he finished with her.

"All right, Dr. Granger. I am only a guest in your domain. You run it as you see fit," he said evenly.

"That's awfully big of you, Professor," Hermione replied sarcastically.

Severus smirked. That was not the last awfully big gesture she'd see from him.

"I'm a big wizard," he said silkily.

Hermione tried to ignore his statement, but the heat was rising again. Hermione fished in her pocket and pulled out the Clarification potion again, Severus' dark eyes on her. She uncapped it and took a swallow.

"I imagine you are running low on that," he purred at her.

Hermione couldn't help but notice he looked rather pleased.

"I am sure you have more in your stores, Professor," she replied, "I will go retrieve some more before this runs out," she replied.

"You know, Dr. Granger, your constant sipping on that elixir will most likely cause you to build up a tolerance for it. It may cease to be effective," he said, his dark eyes glinting.

"In that case, Professor, I will have to trust that you will not take advantage of me if that happens," she responded, her amber eyes looking into his directly. She could still feel some heat.

"I think, doctor," the Potions Master said soberly, "That you are far too trusting. I think if you showed me you wanted me, I would be unable and unwilling to resist you."

Hermione felt her entire belly flip over. Dear gods what was the wizard doing to her? Severus saw the heat in her eyes and quickly moved forward, standing inches away from the witch, looking down at her. He was tempted to grab her and pull her against him to see what her reaction would be. His pale hands clasped and unclasped as he decided what to do. Hell, why not.

Severus was just about to grab the witch, who seemed completely frozen, when a voice rang out.

"Ooh, sexual tension. I can feel it all over me," Adam said, entering the office and looking at the couple standing mere inches from each other. He batted his eyes at both of them.

Severus stepped back and gathered up some books.

"I'll just take these into our quarters, Dr. Granger," he said, stalking past Adam.

The medi-witch watched him go, then turned to Hermione.

"Our quarters?" he asked her, a jealous look in his eyes. "He sleeps with you?"

Hermione woke up out of her haze. She could still feel the wizard.

"No, he is quarantined in my quarters. He has his own room," she said, glad Adam interrupted when he did.

"Um hmmm," Adam said. "Is he turning?"

Hermione looked at the medi-witch, startled. How did he know?

"Oh, don't look so surprised, doctor. I saw the books and I saw him. I like men so I can feel the vibes coming off of him, though they don't affect me like they affect you. Classic example of a sentient turning," the medi-witch said.

Hermione's jaw dropped open.

"How…how do you know about this Adam?" she asked him incredulously.

"I told you. I think vampires are yummy. I've studied all about them. Their habits, how they are created, how they turn others. There are several different varieties of vampires. They all drink blood but they have different backgrounds. I particularly like the type that appears to have infected your Professor. Because the clutch consists of all males," he said, smiling dreamily. "There's only one Queen, and no other females."

"Why no other females?" Hermione inquired.

"Well human women won't turn when bitten by this particular kind of vampire when they aren't sentient. The women simply get weak or die. I think it is the way the creation of Queens is controlled in the species. If a human woman is bitten by a sentient vampire, one that has the Queen's lifeblood in his veins, his bite will turn that woman into a Queen vampire. Then she will seek out any other Queen and fight her until she is either driven away or dead, then claim or kill her minions, depending on whether she wishes to rule or not," the medi-witch said, yawning.

Hermione stared at him.

"Adam, do you know if there is any way to stop a sentient turning?" she asked him excitedly.

Adam studied her a moment. Hm. Maybe he could use this to his advantage concerning the delicious Professor Snape.

"I may have read something about it…" he said slowly, a gleam in his blue eyes. "But this isn't common medi-witch knowledge. I don't have to share it with you, doctor."

Hermione scowled at him. He was right, but he was a medi-witch. His purpose was to help people heal.

"Why wouldn't you share it with me, Adam? Professor Snape needs the information…if you could help him, I don't see why you wouldn't. You're a medi-witch," she said to the wizard, who rolled his eyes.

"Don't you know anything about manipulating a situation, doctor? Sometimes to get what you want you have to utilize all your resources to get it. Now let's face it. That dreamboat of a wizard in your rooms is as straight as a level. I don't have a chance in hell with him under normal circumstances. Even if he were gay, he probably wouldn't want me…he'd probably prefer some well-built boy-toy," Adam said a bit bitterly.

"But I have something that he needs, information. He may be willing to bargain for it," Adam said.

Hermione frowned.

"He'd be more likely to beat it out of you, Adam. Or force it out of you with veritaserum," she replied.

"I'd report him if he did that. He'd do some time in Azkaban, I assure you. I've sent others there who've attacked me," he said. "I'm not like other wizards. I remember when I'm given veritaserum. I can also shake off an oblivate after a few days. The Ministry wanted me to be an Auror because of this, but my temperament isn't suited. Plus I made the other Aurors uncomfortable. They're all so yummy. So I became a medi-witch. It suited me better."

Adam's eyes narrowed.

"I'm sorry doctor, but I get few opportunities like this and as I said, giving you that information isn't required. I'm willing to give it to him, if he'll give me something in return," Adam said firmly.

Hermione looked at the wizard, wondering if Vashti's spell was working on him.

"What would you want him to do?" Hermione asked the wizard.

Adam beckoned her closer, then whispered into the witch's ear. Hermione's eyes widened.

"He'd NEVER do that, Adam," she said.

Adam's face fell, then he leaned toward her again and whispered something else.

Hermione shook her head.

"I seriously doubt he'd let you do that either, Adam," she responded.

Adam looked pensive for a moment, then brightened. He whispered his next suggestion.

Hermione considered.

"Now, he might do that," she said.

Adam smiled.

"If he does that for me, then I will tell you everything you want to know about stopping a sentient turning," the medi-wizard said. "But you have to ask him for me."

Hermione's eyebrows almost disappeared up into her hairline.

"Me?" she said incredulously.

"Yes, you. You know him better than me, and besides, he might attack me for even suggesting such a thing. It's safer that you do it," Adam said, "Or you both can spend days sorting through all those books for the answer, while he continues to turn."

Hermione looked at Adam. He was a real piece of work, as sweet as he looked.

"Adam, I assume you attended Hogwarts?" she said

"Yes, I did," he replied.

"What house were you in?" she asked him.

"Slytherin," he replied. "I was the only wizard who could walk up the stairwell to the girl's dormitories. I was left alone by the other wizards…for the most part…because I would give them piggyback rides up there. They'd just slide back down after their visits."

"Slytherin? Then why didn't Professor Snape recognize you?" she asked.

Adam looked down.

"I had work done. On my body, my eyes, my facial features. And had my name changed," he responded. "There's no way he could recognize me. I look totally different."

Well, that explained the "Sweetmeats" surname. Hermione looked at the wizard consideringly. He was a Slytherin. That figured.

"All right, I'll talk to him. But to be honest he might opt for the research instead," she said.

Adam shrugged.

"It's his choice," the stout wizard replied.

"All right, I'll go ask him. While I'm gone I want you to familiar yourself with the rest of the infirmary. Go poke about. Hopefully, I'll be back in a little while," Hermione said, taking out her bottle of Clarification potion and drinking down a healthy amount, then looking inside the bottle.

She had less than half of it left. She needed to get more. It did seem to be losing some of its properties. She should be feeling nothing for the Potions Master, the knowledge of the curse being a foil. Clarification Potion enhanced logic and made one act within the realm of reason instead of emotionally or instinctually. But she was still responding to the wizard's sexuality, though not acting on it. She might have to try something else.

As Hermione walked toward the rooms, she felt the butterflies again. The wizard said he wouldn't be willing to resist her should she show desire for him. Which meant he'd probably fuck her. No, that he would fuck her if he got the chance. With that huge tool. Gods.

Hermione felt a gush. She blinked. Shit. Shit.

She pulled out her wand and scourgified herself surreptiously.

What the hell was she going to do?

Well, at least she could be sure of one thing. The wizard wasn't going to be thinking about fucking her once she told him Adam's request.

She shivered.

This wasn't going to be pretty.

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A/N: lololol. Adam Sweetmeats. Man, my twisted side was in full force this morning. I'm laughing too hard to really comment on this chapter…lol. I'll let ya'll do it. Please review.