Send Me a Virgin

Author\'s Note: I\'ve finally got the story arc figured out so the rest of the chapters should come fairly quickly. I know some of you had trouble with the rape. Snape is going to struggle with that now and you\'ll see how it plays out. Thanks again for the reviews, each one keeps me going.

Chapter 15: An Act of Deceit

It was bad enough to be in Potions class, but for Hermione it was sheer torture. However, no matter what had happened a few nights ago, she was determined to carry on. She was consoled by Snape’s promise to wipe away that brutal night. Soon she would deliver the virgin and walk out of there not knowing a thing. The only memory she would cherish was that one night with Harry.

A smug smile curled Hermione’s lips as she prepared the ingredients for the potion Snape assigned to them. As for the professor, he was in a subdued mood. Hermione stole a few glances at him and noticed he was walking stiffly and grimacing more than usual. Perhaps the events over the weekend had hurt him as well. Good, she thought, let him suffer.

Things had been difficult for her however smug she might have been at that moment. The bruises were carefully concealed and her muscles ached and her heart was heavy, but one thing Hermione always had going for her was her intelligence. She needed to rely on it now to save her.

The minutes ticked by with the usual agonizing slowness and Hermione noticed that Snape would not look at her no matter how many times she looked at him. She supposed it was better that way. Meanwhile, Malfoy used the opportunity to make disgusting gestures to her. Thankfully everyone else was too busy concentrating. But at last he went too far.

“Hey, mudblood,” he whispered to her. “Look!”

Hermione raised her head to tell him to shut up once and for all and was greeted with the sight of Malfoy sucking his index finger in a crude attempt to mimic what she had done for him only a few nights ago. She looked away disgusted with his actions.

“Malfoy.” Snape’s voice broke the silence. “Up here at once and 20 points from Slytherin.”

The entire class gasped as Snape hardly ever took points away from his house. Hermione’s cheeks burned but she watched Malfoy slowly make his way to Snape’s desk at the front of the classroom. Once there Snape reprimanded Malfoy in a low but harsh voice. No one could make out the exchange but Malfoy returned to his seat, his face was red. He avoided Hermione’s gaze.

“Back to work students,” Snape said. “Time is almost up.”

Hermione watched Snape pace gingerly back and forth as suddenly time seemed to move quickly. The pain which had etched his face was replaced by the customary mask of indifference and slight disdain. She finished her work and waited for the professor to come around to inspect the cauldron. She sat nervously as he made his way down each row. At last he approached her.

Snape peered inside the cauldron and sniffed. Hermione’s stomach clenched and all she could see was the whip as it came down on her body and all she could smell was the brandy and all she could hear were his grunts as he took her.

“Miss Granger?” came his voice from far away.

“No!” she cried.

“Miss Granger, did you hear the question?” he repeated icily.

“I, no…what?” she said, realizing where she was.

“I said did you complete the essay that accompanies this lesson?”

“Oh, yes…of course.” She pulled out the parchment and handed it to him. Harry was staring at her with concern on his face.

“Thank you, Miss Granger. Excellent potion as usual.” Snape went to Harry’s cauldron and proceeded to critique it.

When at last class had ended, she rushed out of there and made her way back to Gryffindor house. Although her intelligence had not deserted her, her emotions were out of control. She had to end this entire affair as soon as possible.

+ + +

The common room was quiet as Hermione entered it. She slumped down in a chair close to the fire and began to sort through her books and assignments. It was important to her to stay close to her routine as possible. She scribbled down the assignments for each class and tucked inside the book. As she pulled her Potions book from her satchel she noticed a slight bulge in the middle as if there were something between the pages. Curiously, she opened the book and found an envelope inside. It was blank on the front. Hermione was about to open it when she heard a voice behind her.

“Hermione!” It was Ginny. Time to begin.

Hermione turned to her left and waved to Ginny. “Please, come on over,” she said with forced cheer.

Ginny was full of nothing but cheer as she made her way over to the cozy sitting area. Hermione knew that Ginny wanted nothing but to be Hermione’s best friend if only to get close to Harry. But since she knew Harry liked Ginny as well it was puzzling to her why the two of them hadn’t simply dispensed with the formalities.

Hermione watched as the other girl sat down with a large smile on her face. “How are you Hermione? I got your note…you wanted to see me?”

“I do and I’m fine…doing much better, actually,” she forced a smile to her lips.

“That’s good to hear, you seemed so distraught the last few days. That potion was bad, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, but that’s over with. There’s so much to focus on now with graduation fast approaching.”

For a moment, Ginny’s smile faltered. No doubt she was thinking of life without Harry once graduation was over.

“But enough of that, now what I am going to tell you is top secret, ok Ginny?” Hermione leaned in closer to Ginny.

Ginny’s eyes lit up – she loved secrets and gossip. Hermione hoped she could keep this one secret. Everything depended on it.

“I won’t say a word,” Ginny promised.

“Good. Now the seventh years are having a secret party this Saturday night. Only select people are invited which means NO Slytherins.” Hermione lowered her voice some more. “So that’s why we can’t tell anyone – we don’t want the Slytherins to find out otherwise they’ll crash it. Do you understand?”

Ginny nodded.

“Ok, so we are allowed to invite someone if we choose to.” Hermione swallowed. This was the hard part. “Now I know Harry wants to invite you but he hasn’t got the nerve, so I am going to invite you as my guest. How does that sound?”

“That’s wonderful!” exclaimed Ginny.

“Shhh,” warned Hermione. “Someone might here.”

“Oh, right, sorry Hermione. I’m just so excited! Where is it?”

“That’s a secret that I’m not allowed to share. I will bring you there when the time is ready. Now do I have your word you won’t tell? Because if this gets out, the party will be cancelled and you’ll miss out on your chance to be with Harry.”

“I swear, Hermione, I swear!” Ginny said in an excited whisper. “Harry really wants me there? Does he talk about me?”

It was almost too much for Hermione but she pressed on. “Yes, he does…to both questions.”

“I can’t wait!”

“Now promise me you won’t talk about it to anyone – not even Harry or Ron. And if you do, they’ll act as if they didn’t know there was a party but they’ll tell me and you won’t be able to come, ok?”

“Ok, I promise.”

Hermione sighed. “Ok, I’ll tell you where to meet me on Saturday morning.”

Ginny hugged Hermione and thanked her and bounded away. Hermione slumped in her chair. It was going to be hard for her to pull this off. For a moment her mind wavered between doing what was right and doing what was wrong. But all that really mattered was her own sanity and wellbeing and she would do whatever it took. She only hoped Snape would hold true to his promise.

With the thought of Snape, she remembered the letter that was inside her Potion’s book. Looking to see if anyone was near, she pulled it out and opened the flap. A single sheet of parchment was folded inside. Hermione opened it and knew right away who the author was.

My dearest Hermione,

I am a worm. I am lower than a worm.

I have violated your trust in me with a most despicable act. One that may not be forgiven.

I do not ask for your forgiveness but I wish to set things right between us.

Please come to my rooms at 10pm on Friday night.

I promise no harm to you and will be a complete gentlemen.

S.S.


Hermione read the note again and hastily hid it in her satchel. She didn’t know if she should be disgusted or intrigued. Maybe he didn’t want a virgin for his perverted pleasures after all and she could be released from her duty. It would easy enough to tell Ginny that the party was off. But she would make Snape pay. He had to live up to his end of the bargain and wipe her memory. She had to see him Friday night whatever the cost.