Mastering Temptation

CHAPTER TWO: The New Secretary









Headmaster Severus Snape made his way through the halls of Hogwarts at a brisk pace. He kept his eyes narrowed and a scowl on his face hoping it would act as a deterrent to staff members who wanted to talk to him about things he frankly didn’t care about. If it was important to the running of the school he was all too happy to listen, well perhaps not happy, willing was a better word, but idle chit chat was not something he cared to indulge in.







His day was not looking very bright as it was. His new secretary…..or Administrative Assistant as the ministry had referred to her was due to start that morning. Severus still couldn’t believe that they had not let him interview and select his own replacement for the previous secretary. Shouldn’t it have been his choice as to who would have been the best fit?







But they hadn’t given him any say so in the matter, instead he had received a message by owl stating that his new secretary, administrative assistant, would be none other than Hermione Granger, former student and pain in his arse. He instantly flashed forward to hours of endless questions and continuous monologues about this or that and it made him tired.





Of course he hadn’t seen the girl in over seven years, not since she had left the school. He had heard all about her though. She and her friends had been big news for quite some time after the war. Severus had also heard nothing but praise for her from her previous employers, including Lucius Malfoy. It seemed that even he was impressed with the girl’s abilities, in fact he had gone on and on about her brilliance over dinner the previous night to the point that Severus wondered if the pureblood might fancy the girl.





Severus almost laughed at the thought as he remembered the gangly girl with the big teeth and bushy hair. No, Lucius definitely didn’t fancy the chit, but he clearly admired her intellect and coming from Lucius that was quite a compliment since she wasn’t a pureblood.







He was relieved to reach his office door with no one stopping him to talk his ear off. He walked through the small outer chamber and through the large wooden door that led to his sanctuary, eager for the solitude of his office. He stopped suddenly when he stepped inside.





He couldn’t make out who his visitor was, but she was leaning over his desk, her rather shapely backside angled towards the door. Severus couldn’t help but appreciate the view. He closed the door quietly behind him and stood there in admiration. Whoever she was, she had a figure straight off of a nineteen fifties muggle movie screen. He could see a curtain of silky chestnut curls covering her face as she leaned over the large desk. His eyes roved over her backside and down the backs of her legs, his brows arching at the rather old fashioned, yet extremely sexy, black stockings with the seam down the back. She had one foot lifted from the floor, the red sole of her black heels catching his eye.





“Can I help you?” He asked, thinking of all the ways he would like to help her. She started and turned abruptly, leaning against his desk and gripping the edge. She sighed in relief when she saw him.





“Professor….or Headmaster rather, you startled me.” She visibly relaxed and shoved her thick curls back over her shoulder and revealed her identity.





“Ms. Granger?” Severus actually took a step back in shock, hitting the door as he stared at her. What happened to the skinny, bushy haired brat?





“Yes sir, it’s good to see you again.” She said, smiling as she walked towards him. Severus felt his fight or flight reflexes kick in and he wasn’t sure which one was stronger.

“Is something wrong?” She asked.





Severus almost choked at the question. Something wrong? He had just stood there ogling and entertaining lascivious thoughts about a former student and new employee, of course something was wrong.





“Nothing, I just wasn’t expecting you for another hour or so.” He said, trying to reroute his blood flow back to his brain so he could keep his eyes on her face and not trying to peer inside her blouse where the top two buttons were undone.





“Well, I thought I would come in early, learn my way around the office. Can I get you some tea?” She asked. Severus almost cheered at the excuse to get her away from him.



“Yes, please.” He said, stepping aside so she could get through the door. When she was gone he made his way behind his desk to sit down and buried his face in his hands.





“Oh, this is not good.” He said, tunneling his fingers through his hair. Severus had been prepared for the annoying little termagant he remembered, not sex incarnate leaning over his desk. Damn Lucius Malfoy, he could have warned him that her appearance had changed so much, hell she was practically unrecognizable as the girl he remembered. Of course the sadistic twit most likely wanted Severus to be taken by surprise.





“Here we are.” She said, carrying in a tray and setting it on his desk. She filled his cup and set it in front of him. “How would you like it?”





Severus looked up at her, hoping she had no talents at legilimency or being an empath because she would be as horrified at his train of thought as he was. As it stood he would like it anyway she wanted to give it.





“Lemon and honey.” He managed to say without his voice cracking. She fixed his tea and then settled herself into the chair in front of his desk, crossing her legs and bouncing her foot.





“It’s been a long time, sir. How are you?” She asked casually. He still looked the same as she remembered, tall, dark and stoic. His hair seemed longer than it used to, but other than that he was the same man she recalled from her days in school.





“I am well, Ms. Granger. How are you?” He asked, trying to observe the niceties while attempting to calm his wayward thoughts. How long had it been since he had reacted to a woman with such instant and intense arousal? He couldn’t remember.





“Oh, I can’t complain, sir. I am very excited to be back at Hogwarts, and I hope that you will be pleased with my performance. I’m very confident in my ability to handle anything you wish to put in my hands.” She said smiling. He began to think of what he would like to put in her hands. Severus wondered if everything she said to him was going to sound like an invitation.





“I have no doubts that you are very capable Ms. Granger. All of your previous employers have sung your praises, including Lucius Malfoy.” He answered tightly, imagining himself wringing the blonde wizard’s neck.







“Well that is certainly a compliment; Lucius sings no ones praises but his own generally.” She chuckled softly and Severus found himself enjoying the husky, raspy tone of her voice.





“You must be on friendly terms with him to call him by his first name.” Severus said, rethinking his earlier position on whether or not Lucius fancied the girl.







“I’m friends with Draco, amazingly, and as a result I am also on friendly terms with Lucius.” She said. “So, what is it you expect from me?”





Severus thought that was a loaded question as he concentrated on his tea instead of her.





“The usual I suppose. You will handle the majority of the correspondence, contractors, the occasional staff issue; event planning and you may be called upon to supervise a class or student event. Nothing unusual.” He said, though the little voice inside him that once upon a time had encouraged him to take the dark mark had a whole list of extra duties for her.





“Well, what would you like for me to do for you now?” She asked. Severus felt his face heating and his head was beginning to ache slightly.





“Actually, things are fairly well caught up for today. I had thought to show you the changes that have been made to the school during the reconstruction and give you a chance to say hello to the staff you recall and to meet the newer faculty members.” He said, wishing he could get out of it.





“An easy enough first day, are you going to be my escort then?” She asked, wondering if he would actually take the time to show her around.





“Alas, everyone else is busy preparing for students to arrive on Wednesday so you are in fact stuck with me I am afraid.” He said, finishing his tea and returning the cup and saucer to the tray.





“I will just tend to this and then you can show me all the things you want me to see.” She smiled and picked up the tray. Severus watched her walk away and nearly groaned at the soft swing of her hips.





“This is bad, very, very bad.” He said softly.