A Matter of Circumstance

Chapter 19 ~ Stepping Up

“All of you, go get your toothbrushes,” Severus snarled at his Slytherins, who he had gathered in the common room, “Now!”

The students all scattered, the Potions Master pacing back and forth, his robes billowing. One by one the students returned, wide-eyed and silent, staring at their furious Head of House.

He glared at them.

“I have told you over and over, what occurs in the dungeons, stays in the dungeons!” he snapped at them, “There were only Slytherins in the dungeons this morning when I exited Miss Granger’s rooms, therefore only Slytherins could have started the gossip. Since you are Slytherins, and I have no way of knowing exactly who flapped their gums, you will all be held accountable. Five points from each student…five points that must be restored by the end of this week or you will additionally serve as a helper for Professor Hagrid for a week!”

The students didn’t dare groan at this. But working with Hagrid’s creatures was always messy and rather dangerous to boot.

“Now you will all go scrub the ichor from the walls of the Slytherin corridor using your toothbrushes. I want it pristine, do you all understand me? If I find one spot of ichor, you will all be further punished! Now GO!” he hissed.

The Slytherin students all poured into the corridor and took up places along its length, getting to work as Professor Snape stormed into his Head of House office and flopped into his seat.

Word had got around Hogwarts that he was seen leaving Hermione’s rooms early in the morning. No one had seen him enter and it was assumed he had spent the night there. Up to this point he had been careful about entering the witch’s domain, apparating rather than using the door, but this morning he had been watching for Ron and did not even think when he walked to Hermione’s rooms in the usual manner. He didn’t even register what it would mean when he ran into the students upon exiting.

The news moved through the castle like wildfire, whispered by students and staff members alike.

”Professor Snape is shagging Miss Granger.”

If it weren’t true, then the gossip would be meaningless. But once word of the dissolution of the wedding plans got out, two and two would be put together and the matter held up for public scrutiny.

It didn’t help at all that Ron returned later that morning and confronted him. When the wizard went to Dumbledore and told the Headmaster that he and Hermione would not be getting married and why, the old wizard assumed Hermione had told him everything, including the name of her lover.

”I am sure Professor Snape will do the right thing by Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley,” Albus said to him, “Believe or not, he is a man of principles. Sometimes he has to be jogged in the right direction.”

As soon as he said this, Albus realized he’d made a great mistake.

“Professor Snape? That figures,” Ron seethed.

Yes, it made sense. The Professor seemed more than a little interested in their nuptials and trying to discourage him from marrying Hermione. He also brought up infidelity. Ron realized the Potions Master wasn’t talking about him, but Hermione.

As Ron returned to the dungeons, he didn’t focus on Hermione’s choice of wizard. Snape was capable of anything as far as he was concerned, and obviously took advantage of Hermione’s attraction to him. Now he was trying to avoid his responsibilities.

He wasn’t going to get away with it.

Ron knocked on the wizard’s door, forcing himself to remain calm. Hermes’ influence was still on him, or he might have entered the wizard’s office wand first and blasting.

Severus opened the door.

“Yes, Mr. Weasley?” he purred at the wizard.

”I need to talk to you, Professor,” Ron said, his face black.

Severus nodded.

“Come in and have a seat, Mr. Weasley,” the dark wizard said.

Ron entered and sat down in a rickety, uncomfortable chair in front of the Potions Master’s desk. Severus sat down and folded his hands.

”Now what can I do for you, Mr. Weasley?” Severus asked the redhead.

“It’s not what you can do for me, you bastard…but what you’d better do concerning Hermione. You got her pregnant. You need to help her,” Ron said.

”What makes you think I don’t intend to help her, Mr. Weasley?” the wizard replied quietly.

This answer took Ron a bit by surprise.

”Well, Hermione said you didn’t want the child,” Ron said in a subdued voice.

”I do not want to be a father, if that’s what you mean, Mr. Weasley…but that doesn’t mean I won’t support my own issue,” he replied smoothly, “I assure you I have every intention on providing for the child’s needs.”

“What about Hermione’s needs?” Ron demanded.

Snape gave him a rather lascivious grin.

”I plan to continue to meet her needs as well,” he said silkily, arching an eyebrow at the wizard.

Ron scowled, understanding what he meant. He’d continue sleeping with her.

“She needs more than a shag, Professor. There’s things she wants to do that a baby is going to hinder if she’s by herself, things she’s going to need help with,” Ron told him flatly.

”Once those things are identified, I will help her with those as well,” the wizard said, “She will not be able to care for my child properly otherwise. So you can see, Mr. Weasley, my intentions are honorable.”

Ron stood up, his fists clenched.

“Honorable? You were going to let her marry me when you knew she was carrying your child!” he snapped at the wizard, “You were going to let another man cover your responsibility.”

Severus shrugged.

“That was Hermione’s decision to make, although I did try to warn you off in my way, Mr. Weasley,” the Potions Master replied.

Ron stared at him hatefully.

”You’ve ruined her reputation you know. She’s going to be an unwed mother. Yeah, you’ll give her money for the baby, but what about her name? You’ve ruined her name. What are you going to do about that?” Ron demanded.

“Are you suggesting I marry the witch?” Severus asked Ron.

”Yes. Yes I am. It’s the right thing to do to save her from too much humiliation,” Ron replied.

”I don’t love her, Mr. Weasley. She is…a pleasurable distraction, that’s all,” he said coldly.

”But…but she loves you,” Ron said, “She’s in love with you, Professor.”

”I am well aware of that, Mr. Weasley, but that is no reason to spend my life with her when I don’t feel the same,” the dark wizard said.

”Then…then you should leave her alone. Help with the baby but stay out of her life so she can find someone who will love her the way she deserves,” Ron said.

Severus shook his head.

”I’m sorry, Mr. Weasley. I am far too selfish to do that. She’s a sweet little witch, as you well know,” he said, his eyes glinting slightly as he remembered watching Ron with Hermione, “I have no one else in my life that provides the release I need in the way that I need. I am not ready to give her up…though one day I may be. Then she’ll be free to find someone better suited.”

”When will that be, Professor? A year? Two years? Or after you’ve bled her heart dry so she can’t love anyone else?” Ron demanded.

”I have no idea, Mr. Weasley, but as of right now, I have no intentions on releasing her. Her love will keep her with me, I am sure,” Severus said.

Ron stared at him.

”I've always disliked you, Professor, but had to admit when the chips were down, you came through for the wizarding world. Now, that doesn’t mean anything. You aren’t a hero. You aren’t a decent man like everyone claims. I know it…and Hermione knows it. Soon everyone will know it. I hope you go through some of what Hermione can expect. I hope you suffer too,” Ron said in a low voice.

”I have suffered enough for a thousand Hermiones,” the wizard replied, “And I am through with this conversation. Good day, Mr. Weasley.”

Severus pulled out his wand and flicked it at the office door. It opened.

”I’ll be about, Professor, believe me. This isn’t over,” Ron said, exiting his office.

Severus sat there a moment, scowling. Then he got up and entered his private rooms, closing the wall securely behind him. He walked up to the fireplace, grabbed a handful of floo powder out of a box on the mantle and tossed it into the flames.

“The Headmaster’s office,” he said, stepping through.

Snape’s students were surprised to see Albus Dumbledore seated at the desk when they entered Potions Class, smiling at them benignly. After they all were seated, the Headmaster addressed them.

”The Potions Master had some business to attend to, so I am afraid you are saddled with me. Potions has never been a favorite subject of mine…so…”

He flicked his wand and several piles of lemon drops appeared on the Professor’s desk.

“Now gather around, all of you and I will regal you with the intricate differences between brands of lemon drops,” the wizard said brightly.

The students looked at each other, then one by one stood up and gathered around the desk.

Lemon drops beat a pop quiz any day.

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When Severus returned later that afternoon, that was when he first heard the rumor that was floating about concerning him and Hermione. The wizard then punished his charges then retired to his private rooms, leaving them scrubbing frantically.

The moment he was gone however, the students pulled out their wands and started scourgifying. The task was completed in less than fifteen minutes.

The Professor should have known they were going to do that. He was really off his game.

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Hermione lay in bed, waiting for Severus to appear. It was after eleven when he did. Instead of stripping down instantly as usual, the wizard sat down on the edge of her bed, reached into his pocket and drew out a folded parchment, offering it to her silently.

”What is this?” Hermione asked him, sitting up and opening it.

She read it, her eyes widening.

“Severus, is this for real?” she asked him.

He nodded.

“That is an account for you and the child. It will have money added to it monthly in the sum you see written down until the child reaches the age of twenty-one. I have already placed a hefty amount in the account. You are to use this in whatever manner you need. My responsibility toward you and the child are met. You should be able to get what you need when you need it without needing to come to or consult me,” the wizard said.

Hermione stared at the amount of money. She wouldn’t even have to work if she didn’t want to and lived modestly.

“How do you have so much money?” she asked the wizard.

“Easily. I am rather miserly. I don’t spend galleons often except for potion ingredients. And I receive residuals from potions I’ve developed as well as a generous monthly stipend from the Ministry granted me for the rest of my life for my part in Voldemort’s demise. So I am rather well off. Now, you are as well. Are you satisfied with this?” he asked her.

Hermione thought he looked a bit…well…a bit nervous.

”Oh yes, this is fine, Severus. This is wonderful in fact. I never expected you’d do anything like this,” she said to him, smiling. It was the first time Hermione had smiled at him in a very long time.

“Believe me, I never expected it either. But I’ve realized have an obligation and must meet it. I didn’t ask for this Hermione, but I will be responsible,” the wizard said, “In the event of my death before she or he comes of age, my child will receive everything I own, with you as the executor and trustee. I trust you will maintain my investments, and there will be an allotment for you as well for your services.”

Hermione realized this was the wizard’s way of providing for her too, without it seeming to be because he cared…rather because she cared for his child. Her eyes softened a little.

Severus frowned at this.

”However, this account will close when our child reaches age twenty-one, so I hope you don’t intend to lounge on your laurels and live off my generosity,” he snapped at her rising.

“Wait. Where are you going?” she asked the wizard.

”Back to my rooms, witch,” the wizard replied.

”But…but I thought you said to expect you tonight,” Hermione said to him, her eyes shining.

”I did, and you did. I’ve done what I intended to do. If you expected more of me, you were mistaken. I am sure that you need a rest after last night with Mr. Weasley,” he said to her, his voice tight.

Hermione frowned a bit.

”Since when has my being with Ron ever stopped you from coming to me, Severus?” she asked him.

Severus looked at her a moment, his face unreadable.

”Since last night, when I actually witnessed it for myself, Hermione,” the wizard said before disapparating.

Hermione stared at the empty spot with her mouth open. He had seen her and Ron last night? Dear gods…

Then she thought about it.

Hm. Obviously he hadn’t liked what he saw. If he didn’t like what he saw then it meant he felt something about it. He wouldn’t feel anything about it if he didn’t feel something toward her. And he wouldn’t have been so generous if he wasn’t trying to prove something.

But what was he trying to prove?

Severus didn’t have to buy her love. He already had it, despite how undeserving of it he was. Was he trying to make up for putting her through what he did?

Hermione wasn’t sure as she tucked the parchment in her nightstand drawer, but she was going to let the situation play out. She lay down in the bed, wishing the Potions Master had stayed.

She was feeling a bit more “gratitude.”

Severus should have stayed. He just might have experienced what it was that he was missing.

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A/N: Thanks for reading.