A Terrible Temptation
folder
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
44
Views:
21,152
Reviews:
1048
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
44
Views:
21,152
Reviews:
1048
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
The Scourge and the Whip
A/N - This is the pre-beta version, since I finished this at 12:30 last night and sent it to Kate right after. As soon as she is done with it, I will post the cleaned up version.
Thanks to: Campy, Cherrie, Tarrin, Imhilion, Jean Lamb (thank you, they were virtually yummy!), Nocturnus, spaz141, Deeble (LOL), Alisha, Rumours, Stephanie, Droxy (aw, shucks - Blush), Helen (LOL), Zephyr, Kate adn Fading Slowly
Chapter 15 – The Scourge and the Whip
Severus berated himself all the way to class. What the hell was wrong with him? How could he have been so appallingly stupid? He had felt a jolt of attraction that had bypassed his brain and gone straight to his less intelligent head and he had almost lost all sense of decorum.
In the Great Hall, of all stupid places! In front of everyone, staff and students alike! If Albus hadn’t woken him to his responsibilities and the realities of his predicament he would have done something stupid over Hermione Bloody Granger and in the Great Hall in front of everyone!
He marched into Transfigurations and met McGonagall’s knowing gaze with a flush of embarrassment. She nodded to him with uncommon gentleness and he settled into his desk with a feeling of relief. Hopefully, Minerva wasn’t going to flay him alive for his moment of hormonal madness with her most favored pupil.
The rest of the class trouped in and began to settle into their usual places.
“Miss Granger would you partner Mr. Longbottom please.” Minerva settled Ron beside Severus and he felt a sense of relief as he realized that he wouldn’t have to fight this body through an entire class.
“Hey, mate.” Ron mumbled as he sat beside him.
“Hey Ron.” Severus replied just as softly.
“You okay?” Ron was looking at him in genuine concern and Severus had a momentary disconnect as he thought about how Ron would feel to know he was enquiring about the Greasy Git.
“No, I’m not.” He admitted unsteadily and then Minerva started the class and they were unable to speak further.
Albus’s office was always filled with whirring devices and intricate clockwork machines that seemed to serve no purpose but to move about in intricate dances of metal without rhyme or reason. Severus always found in fascinating but baffling. He stood in front of a tiny solar system and watched the earth dance around the sun while the moon spun cheerfully around the earth.
He had always seen it as a symbol of himself, the little planet caught by circumstances and forced to dance between two opposing forces, but now he wondered. Perhaps the attraction of gravity, the pull two people felt for each other was more than just a force of nature. What if the orbiting, which caused tides and drew forces back and forth between them, was more symbiotic and less imprisoning. What if the earth loved the moon and vice versa?
What if what he had been feeling for Hermione Granger of late was more than simply hormones? That was a thought that needed to be tucked away into a box and locked up tight.
He was thirty-eight years old, more than twenty years her senior. She was a pretty, vivacious, and intelligent girl of seventeen with her entire life ahead of her. He was a former Death Eater and present spy with the life expectancy of a mayfly. Every day that he woke came as a pleasant surprise to him.
“It is an amazing model isn’t it, Severus.” Albus’ voice had taken on the gentle quality that Severus knew meant he was about to tell Severus some piece of bad news.
“It is. Thank you for this morning, Albus.” Severus turned and met Albus’ eyes, knowing the other wizard to be skilled enough at Legilimancy to be able to read his heart.
“It cannot be, my boy.” Albus’s voice creaked with age and he looked at the younger man with something akin to pity.
“I know, Al” He” He touched a finger to the moon, watching it slow and then speed again when he pulled his hand back. “I cannot even dream anymore, you know.” Severus turned from the planetary dance and walked to the desk. “I used to imagine that one day I would find a woman who could love me despite the nose, the hair and the attitude. Then my dreams became more practical, defeating Voldemort, surviving the war. Now I just want to do as much as I can, before I die.”
“Severus, you can stop spying anytime, you know that. I value your life above any information you could get.” Albus had pleaded with him on more than one occasion to stop, to refuse to return, but Severus thought about the people who had died, been tortured or lost loved ones.
“It’s a moot point right now, Albus.” Severus looked up at Albus through Harry’s eyes and the headmaster nodded. “The only thing that I am good for right now is keeping this boy alive long enough so that he can kill Voldemort.”
“Nonsense, Severus, you have many uses to the world, not least of which being that you are a very good potions master and an even better friend.” Severus nodded at Albus, but inwardly he sighed. He remembered wanting more from his life than this. He cared for Albus, they had been friends a long time, but he needed more than two good friends, a job he hated and to never know when he was going to be summoned and possibly killed by a madman.
“As you say, Albus.” He was weary to the bone and had no strength to argue.
“She is only seventeen Severus, her life has only just begun. There is so much for her to do and see before she will be ready to make these kinds of choices.” Albus was trying to be gentle with him, he knew that, but it hurt.
“Do you think I don’t know what I am, Albus? It’s baoughough that she is muggleborn; enough prejudices will be thrown at her as she makes her way through our society. I can imagine quite clearly the kinds of judgments that would be made if she were to even be seen befriending me.” Severus knew what would be said of a student who was friends with a male teacher and slut would be the kindest of them.
“Severus, if she were only a few years older I would have nothing to say, you know that. I loved Minerva from the time she was nineteen and the age difference was far greater than the one between yourself and Miss Granger. Give her time to grow up.” Albus’s blue eyes had no sparkle; he looked both grave and sad. Severus merely nodded and left.
Severus was shuffling back to Gryffindor Tower, when he spied Minerva in the doorway to her office.
“Mr. Potter, may I have a word with you?” She asked him with pursed lips and a small frown. Just what he needed, to be told again how much a monster he was for even thinking of preying upon Miss Granger.
“Of course, Professor.” He played his role though and obeyed Potter’s Head of House. He stepped into her office and was surprised to see a pair of teacups and a pot of tea waiting.
“Please be seated, Severus.” She gestured him into a seat after she closed the door. “How are you feeling?” He looked into her face and saw the bright sympathetic eyes. He decided on the truth.
“Awful. I have become the very thing I have always mocked, a lovelorn school boy.” He put all his scorn and anger into the words and all his self-loathing. Minerva poured him tea and then reached into a desk drawer and pulled out a bottle of whisky. She poured a generous dollop into both cups and with a crooked grin handed him his.
“You know, Severus. Albus didn’t tell me how he felt about me until I was nearly twenty-five. I spent many years miserable because I thought him indifferent to me.” She took a swift sip of the tea and he did as well, feeling the pleasant burning sensation as the whisky warmed him.
“He wanted you to have a life.” Severus defended the older man.
“He is my life, Severus.” Minerva replied with a gentle strength that made Severus pause. “I have never really forgiven him for not giving me the choice. Hermione is far more mature and intelligent than she has any right to be. If you do decide that you want her, then tell her and let her choose her own path. Never make up another person’s mind for them.” Severus took another sip, not quite sure that he was hearing correctly.
“Are you telling me that you approve?” Severus managed to get it out. “Whatever for? You of all people should know what I am! What I am capable of, what I have done!” He rose and began to pace. “I’m twenty years her senior and besides this is totally pointless!” He spun on her, his face contorted in fury. “She’s got a crush on Potter, she knows nothing of me! I will get over this and it will all be forgotten.” So, why did it hurt to say that?
“Do you really think so, Severus?” Minerva was watching him with knowing eyes.
“Minerva, if I make it another year it will be a miracle. I will not endanger more people.” Minerva bit her lip in distress, but could not argue. For the truth is that whatever Severus felt or didn’t feel was unimportant. Voldemort would kill Hermione Granger on the mere suspicion that Severus favored her.
The whole situation was utterly hopel:¨ °
Thanks to: Campy, Cherrie, Tarrin, Imhilion, Jean Lamb (thank you, they were virtually yummy!), Nocturnus, spaz141, Deeble (LOL), Alisha, Rumours, Stephanie, Droxy (aw, shucks - Blush), Helen (LOL), Zephyr, Kate adn Fading Slowly
Chapter 15 – The Scourge and the Whip
Severus berated himself all the way to class. What the hell was wrong with him? How could he have been so appallingly stupid? He had felt a jolt of attraction that had bypassed his brain and gone straight to his less intelligent head and he had almost lost all sense of decorum.
In the Great Hall, of all stupid places! In front of everyone, staff and students alike! If Albus hadn’t woken him to his responsibilities and the realities of his predicament he would have done something stupid over Hermione Bloody Granger and in the Great Hall in front of everyone!
He marched into Transfigurations and met McGonagall’s knowing gaze with a flush of embarrassment. She nodded to him with uncommon gentleness and he settled into his desk with a feeling of relief. Hopefully, Minerva wasn’t going to flay him alive for his moment of hormonal madness with her most favored pupil.
The rest of the class trouped in and began to settle into their usual places.
“Miss Granger would you partner Mr. Longbottom please.” Minerva settled Ron beside Severus and he felt a sense of relief as he realized that he wouldn’t have to fight this body through an entire class.
“Hey, mate.” Ron mumbled as he sat beside him.
“Hey Ron.” Severus replied just as softly.
“You okay?” Ron was looking at him in genuine concern and Severus had a momentary disconnect as he thought about how Ron would feel to know he was enquiring about the Greasy Git.
“No, I’m not.” He admitted unsteadily and then Minerva started the class and they were unable to speak further.
Albus’s office was always filled with whirring devices and intricate clockwork machines that seemed to serve no purpose but to move about in intricate dances of metal without rhyme or reason. Severus always found in fascinating but baffling. He stood in front of a tiny solar system and watched the earth dance around the sun while the moon spun cheerfully around the earth.
He had always seen it as a symbol of himself, the little planet caught by circumstances and forced to dance between two opposing forces, but now he wondered. Perhaps the attraction of gravity, the pull two people felt for each other was more than just a force of nature. What if the orbiting, which caused tides and drew forces back and forth between them, was more symbiotic and less imprisoning. What if the earth loved the moon and vice versa?
What if what he had been feeling for Hermione Granger of late was more than simply hormones? That was a thought that needed to be tucked away into a box and locked up tight.
He was thirty-eight years old, more than twenty years her senior. She was a pretty, vivacious, and intelligent girl of seventeen with her entire life ahead of her. He was a former Death Eater and present spy with the life expectancy of a mayfly. Every day that he woke came as a pleasant surprise to him.
“It is an amazing model isn’t it, Severus.” Albus’ voice had taken on the gentle quality that Severus knew meant he was about to tell Severus some piece of bad news.
“It is. Thank you for this morning, Albus.” Severus turned and met Albus’ eyes, knowing the other wizard to be skilled enough at Legilimancy to be able to read his heart.
“It cannot be, my boy.” Albus’s voice creaked with age and he looked at the younger man with something akin to pity.
“I know, Al” He” He touched a finger to the moon, watching it slow and then speed again when he pulled his hand back. “I cannot even dream anymore, you know.” Severus turned from the planetary dance and walked to the desk. “I used to imagine that one day I would find a woman who could love me despite the nose, the hair and the attitude. Then my dreams became more practical, defeating Voldemort, surviving the war. Now I just want to do as much as I can, before I die.”
“Severus, you can stop spying anytime, you know that. I value your life above any information you could get.” Albus had pleaded with him on more than one occasion to stop, to refuse to return, but Severus thought about the people who had died, been tortured or lost loved ones.
“It’s a moot point right now, Albus.” Severus looked up at Albus through Harry’s eyes and the headmaster nodded. “The only thing that I am good for right now is keeping this boy alive long enough so that he can kill Voldemort.”
“Nonsense, Severus, you have many uses to the world, not least of which being that you are a very good potions master and an even better friend.” Severus nodded at Albus, but inwardly he sighed. He remembered wanting more from his life than this. He cared for Albus, they had been friends a long time, but he needed more than two good friends, a job he hated and to never know when he was going to be summoned and possibly killed by a madman.
“As you say, Albus.” He was weary to the bone and had no strength to argue.
“She is only seventeen Severus, her life has only just begun. There is so much for her to do and see before she will be ready to make these kinds of choices.” Albus was trying to be gentle with him, he knew that, but it hurt.
“Do you think I don’t know what I am, Albus? It’s baoughough that she is muggleborn; enough prejudices will be thrown at her as she makes her way through our society. I can imagine quite clearly the kinds of judgments that would be made if she were to even be seen befriending me.” Severus knew what would be said of a student who was friends with a male teacher and slut would be the kindest of them.
“Severus, if she were only a few years older I would have nothing to say, you know that. I loved Minerva from the time she was nineteen and the age difference was far greater than the one between yourself and Miss Granger. Give her time to grow up.” Albus’s blue eyes had no sparkle; he looked both grave and sad. Severus merely nodded and left.
Severus was shuffling back to Gryffindor Tower, when he spied Minerva in the doorway to her office.
“Mr. Potter, may I have a word with you?” She asked him with pursed lips and a small frown. Just what he needed, to be told again how much a monster he was for even thinking of preying upon Miss Granger.
“Of course, Professor.” He played his role though and obeyed Potter’s Head of House. He stepped into her office and was surprised to see a pair of teacups and a pot of tea waiting.
“Please be seated, Severus.” She gestured him into a seat after she closed the door. “How are you feeling?” He looked into her face and saw the bright sympathetic eyes. He decided on the truth.
“Awful. I have become the very thing I have always mocked, a lovelorn school boy.” He put all his scorn and anger into the words and all his self-loathing. Minerva poured him tea and then reached into a desk drawer and pulled out a bottle of whisky. She poured a generous dollop into both cups and with a crooked grin handed him his.
“You know, Severus. Albus didn’t tell me how he felt about me until I was nearly twenty-five. I spent many years miserable because I thought him indifferent to me.” She took a swift sip of the tea and he did as well, feeling the pleasant burning sensation as the whisky warmed him.
“He wanted you to have a life.” Severus defended the older man.
“He is my life, Severus.” Minerva replied with a gentle strength that made Severus pause. “I have never really forgiven him for not giving me the choice. Hermione is far more mature and intelligent than she has any right to be. If you do decide that you want her, then tell her and let her choose her own path. Never make up another person’s mind for them.” Severus took another sip, not quite sure that he was hearing correctly.
“Are you telling me that you approve?” Severus managed to get it out. “Whatever for? You of all people should know what I am! What I am capable of, what I have done!” He rose and began to pace. “I’m twenty years her senior and besides this is totally pointless!” He spun on her, his face contorted in fury. “She’s got a crush on Potter, she knows nothing of me! I will get over this and it will all be forgotten.” So, why did it hurt to say that?
“Do you really think so, Severus?” Minerva was watching him with knowing eyes.
“Minerva, if I make it another year it will be a miracle. I will not endanger more people.” Minerva bit her lip in distress, but could not argue. For the truth is that whatever Severus felt or didn’t feel was unimportant. Voldemort would kill Hermione Granger on the mere suspicion that Severus favored her.
The whole situation was utterly hopel:¨ °