It Happened One Hallow's Eve

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 17 ~ A Possible Change in Direction

“Argus, I am quite aware of the growing relationship between the Potions Master and Miss Granger,” the Headmaster said to the squib.

Filch, who was sitting in the armchair in front of Albus’ desk and managing to look completely uncomfortable, screwed up his face.

“Aware? You are aware of this…this…sinful association, Headmaster?” Filch asked. Then he looked cunning. The Headmaster must be planning on tossing both of them. “So when are you going to throw them both out, sir?”

Albus looked at Argus, both of his eyebrows raised.

“I’m not,” he told the shocked squib, “There are no rules preventing a teacher from associating with a student of the age of consent, Argus, as long as they are discreet and there is no altering of marks and so forth. Miss Granger has always been an exemplary student, and Severus has, for the most part, been relatively fair with his grading system.”

Albus knew that the Potions Master had a tendency to lower students’ marks, not raise them. Hermione was a strong enough student that she didn’t require any help.

“But…but they weren’t being discreet. I saw them,” Filch said argumentively, “Locking lips right there in the Great Hall. They were all over each other.”

Albus scowled.

“No. It was you being indiscreet, Argus. You had no right to spy on them. As far as they knew, they were alone…and I highly doubt Severus would be all over anyone in such a public area, alone or not. Why were you watching them?” Albus asked the squib.

“Because I knew that witch was up to something…staying here for holiday. Now I know what,” Filch replied frowning. “The Professor is twice her age, Headmaster. It seems wrong. Very wrong. I am surprised you condone this.”

Albus looked at Filch rather severely.

“Argus, you are aware of how Severus puts his life on the line for us, serving as a spy for the Order. He leads a miserable life for the most part. The wizard deserves some respite from the horror he lives. He deserves some happiness, some reward for all he does so selflessly. Don’t you agree?” the wizard asked the caretaker.

Filch’s face screwed up.

“I suppose so,” he groused.

“Miss Granger is a level-headed witch fully capable of making decisions concerning her personal life. If she chooses to be with Severus, then she has my blessing. He is a good, if dark wizard. Now, I want you to stop spying on them,” the Headmaster said.

“But that witch is notorious for going where she doesn’t belong…she bears watching,” Filch argued.

“I am giving you direct orders, Argus. No more spying on either of them. Let them enjoy their holiday. And of course I don’t need to remind you that this information is to be kept to yourself. It wouldn’t do for their liaison to get back to Voldemort before Severus has a chance to tell him himself,” the Headmaster said. “Give me an oath.”

Argus reluctantly gave an oath never to speak of Severus’ and Hermione’s relationship. Magic swirled around him. Although he was a squib, an oath would still take hold. He was a magical being after all, though he couldn’t do magic.

“Some wizards have all the luck,” Argus muttered.

Albus raised an eyebrow at him.

“I doubt if 'luck' has anything to do with them, Argus. But if you can find a young witch the age of consent that would have you, I’d give you my blessing as well,” the Headmaster said.

The caretaker’s cragged face broke into a horrendous smile.

“But you can’t offer them galleons,” Albus added.

Argus’ face fell.

At that moment, there was a knock on the office door.

“Come in, Severus,” Albus called. The door opened and Severus walked in.

“Good evening, Headmaster. Mr. Filch,” the wizard said by way of greeting.

“Good evening, Severus,” Albus said.

Filch grunted a hello and slowly stood up.

“I’ll be going, Headmaster,” he said, giving Severus an angry glance and heading for the door.

“Goodbye Argus,” Albus called after him. The squib exited, cursing that he had to go down all those stairs with his bad knees.

Severus looked after the squib then sat down in the armchair he had occupied. He looked at Albus.

“Am I mistaken, or did Argus just give me his infamous death stare,” Severus asked the Headmaster.

Albus looked at him soberly.

“Argus is of the opinion that you should be dismissed and Miss Granger expelled for your ‘interest’ in each other,” the Headmaster said to the Potions Master.

Severus showed no outward sign of shock or surprise at this news. He had been a spy far too long to react to unexpected situations.

“And what is your opinion, Headmaster?” Severus asked the wizard.

Albus placed the tips of his fingers together and tapped them slowly for a moment as he studied Severus thoughtfully.

“There are no rules concerning teachers fraternizing with students of proper age. Miss Granger is of the age of consent and well able to make decisions concerning her private life. As long as this relationship is treated with discretion and Miss Granger’s education is not curtailed in any manner, then I see no reason to interfere,” the wizard said. “My only concern is that Voldemort might somehow get wind of this, unless you have already informed him,” Albus said.

Inwardly, Severus was relieved both that Albus did not seem to want details as to how he and Hermione got together, and secondly, that he felt the relationship between them was acceptable. More than likely, Albus knew exactly when he deflowered her. Hallow's Eve.

Severus shook his head.

“No sir. I have not yet told him. I was going to wait until Miss Granger graduated and ask him for the right to court her, citing that since she is the best friend of Harry Potter I might be able to use her to keep tabs on him, and since she is such a brilliant witch, I might be able to corrupt her and use her gifts to further the Dark Lord’s cause,” the Potions Master replied.

Albus looked thoughtful.

“Perhaps Severus, it would be best to let Voldemort know that you are involved with the witch now. Most likely he will smile on your taking a student at Hogwarts. You know how perverse he is. That she is Harry Potter’s friend will only serve to make your deed seem even more dastardly to the wizard. Most likely he will reward you since I imagine that she was seventeen when your relationship began, although her use of the time turner technically made her eighteen…the age of consent,” he said to the wizard.

Now it was Severus’ turn to look thoughtful.

“Perhaps you are right sir. The fact that she was underaged when deflowered would appeal to him, particularly since he is rather disappointed in me in the sex department,” Severus replied.

Years ago, when Severus created the elixir that gave Voldemort his great power as well as his distorted appearance, the wizard had been so thrilled he told Severus he would grant him a boon. Anything he asked for. Severus asked to be excluded from any sexual performances. The revels were just beginning then and were for the most part orgies between male and female Death Eaters involving all kinds of perversions. The wizard didn’t have a taste for it or for performing sexually on demand. Voldemort, who was still Tom Riddle at the time, grudgingly granted Severus his wish. When the Revels escalated to involve raping and murdering innocent muggles, the Potions Master’s hands were clean. He had never participated.

The Dark Lord had seen Severus have intercourse with three new recruits once in the early days, and been quite impressed with both his tool and his ferocity. Severus was young at the time, and ostracized by many of his peers. These particular witches were fellow Slytherins who looked down their noses at him and made disparaging comments about his looks. Since Severus was a Death Eater in good standing and a favorite of Tom, he was permitted to try out any new witch he wanted. He wanted them all and as payback for their cruelty towards him, fucked each witch to tears before she received her mark.

Voldemort was quite displeased when Severus asked for what he did. More than likely the despot would approve of his taking Hermione at such a young age. It was a dastardly enough deed for a Death Eater.

More than likely too, he would want to see the Potions Master taking her via Legilimency. Severus frowned slightly at this. He knew Voldemort wouldn’t approve of the gentleness he showed the witch. He would want to see some roughness…some deviance.

If Voldemort were to give his blessing, Severus would have to make at least one memory like that for the wizard to see. The wizard sighed inwardly. He didn’t want to mistreat Hermione. She was special to him. If she were just a dalliance, it wouldn’t matter…but she wasn’t. If he did what Albus suggested, it would change all of his current plans for the witch. He would have to engage her before graduation.

If he had to do this…he wouldn’t do it blind. He would talk to Hermione honestly about the situation and about what he would need to do…give the witch a choice in the matter. He might even have to show the witch what he was capable of from a past encounter. He wasn’t sure how she would take the memory of him fucking another witch, even if the witch didn’t matter to him. That would be her choice too. If she wanted to see, he’d show her.

Plus, Voldemort was getting quite impatient with him. It had been some time since he had any truly significant information for the dark wizard. Severus had gotten away with only a few crucios, but had a feeling a bout of full-fledged torture was on its way. Perhaps his relationship with Hermione could save him from it…this time.

“I will talk to Miss Granger about this, Headmaster…then make my decision as to when I will approach the Dark Lord,” Severus said to Albus, who nodded.

“I suggest you talk to her soon, Severus. He hasn’t summoned you for a number of weeks, so more than likely you will be called to his presence shortly,” the Headmaster said, his eyes sober.

“Yes, sir,” Severus agreed.

That settled, the two wizards put their heads together, trying to come up with some unimportant information that could be manipulated enough so it would satisfy Voldemort.

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Severus spent much of the next day brewing potions for the infirmary. Poppy was away for the holidays, and Severus was to serve as medi-wizard for lesser injuries, since he had experience with potions, healing and the setting of bones. If anything more severe occurred, the victim would be taken to St. Mungo's. Thus far, no one even had as much as a cold.

Hermione noticed his absence at breakfast and lunch, but he did show up at supper. The witch’s belly flipped over when he strode through the teacher’s entrance, scowling as usual as he took his seat. His black eyes washed over her for a moment and he nodded a greeting, then set about filling his plate. They had a small feast prepared for tonight at Albus’ request, but nothing like what would be served tomorrow. A succulent roast beef with small potatoes, gravy, rice, green beans and a salad were in evidence. Everyone ate heartily, Filch’s beady eyes flitting from Severus to Hermione disapprovingly as he chewed.

After the meal and a bit of conversation, everyone departed except for Severus and Hermione again, though Filch loitered about, eating his dessert slowly before he grudgingly left. Severus looked after him with a slight scowl, knowing the squib was miffed and most likely jealous about his relationship with the young witch. He stood up and looked at Hermione.

“My office at seven-thirty. Be prepared to work,” he said to Hermione imperiously, then hurrying off so she wouldn’t try to get him to kiss her.

“I’ll be ready to work all right,” Hermione called after him.

She grinned wickedly as he strode through the door without looking back.

“You can run, Severus…but soon there’ll be nowhere to go,” the witch said to herself, before rising and leaving the Great Hall. The witch had preparations to make.

She had quite a bit to learn tonight.

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Severus sat in his office, his dark eyes resting on the clock. It was seven twenty-seven. The witch would be here soon, and most likely quite randy. He planned to sit her down and talk to her about the situation with Voldemort and what he had in mind to do. More than likely she would be very enthusiastic about have sex with him before graduation. But it was the type of sex that might throw her. Not that Severus would mind giving Hermione almost his all. The witch was seductive, alluring and very willing to experience more of him. But what she ended up with might very well be more than she wanted.

If Hermione were willing to help him make the memory for Voldemort, he wouldn’t directly take her to his bed…he needed to test her responses, her ability to handle roughness. If the witch wasn’t able to handle it yet, he wouldn’t take her in such a manner despite her claim to be ready. He didn’t want to ruin her, or to make her feel uncomfortable about sex with him. That would be a disaster. Hermione was a diamond in the rough, and he wanted to be careful as to how he cut and polished her. He didn’t want the witch to lose her fire.

A knock sounded on the door.

“Come in,” Severus said, adjusting himself in the chair to look more imposing.

The door opened and Hermione entered. She was dressed in a green sweater, white socks and trainers and a red skirt with green trim and red and white candy canes embroidered on the front of it. She also wore little Christmas tree earrings. Severus scowled at her.

“For the past few days you’ve looked like a walking advertisement for the season,” the wizard said to her.

“What? You expect me to wear black like you do?” she shot back at him, smoothing her skirt. “You always look as if you are on your way to a wake.”

“I could be. Yours,” the wizard thought. He didn’t say it though.

Hermione sat down in the rickety chair in front of his desk.

“I’m ready to learn,” she said, a bit of a glint in her amber eyes.

He could only imagine.

“Yes, I can see that,” the wizard said, arching an eyebrow at her. “But first, I need to talk to you about a serious matter Hermione. One that can significantly alter the current status of our relationship. But it will be up to you. What I am going to tell you and ask you may be too much for you to handle at this time. I need you to listen and think carefully.”

Hermione became serious quickly. There was something in Severus’ eyes that let her know whatever he had to say to her was of the utmost importance.

“I’m all ears,” she replied, leaning forward in the chair.

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A/N: The story is moving right along. Filch is something else. Lol at Albus’ galleon remark. So, it seems Hermione may be drawn into the realm of the Dark Lord a bit early, and have to help Severus create a sexual memory that will appease the despot. Interesting history as to how Severus got out of participating in revels or performing sexually for the Dark Lord. I've gotten him out of it before by impotence potions, his pretending to only like to kill the women and I don't know how else...but this is the first time a boon was granted. Nice and neat. lol. Well, please review.