A Delicate Obsession

Chapter Two – Different Worlds

It all belongs to Rowling, except maybe what you don’t recognize.

A/N: Okay, this story is posted R and on AFF for a reason. And because Lord Voldemort is no candy ass, and the squick factor is running a bit high, I just wanted to post a warning to this chapter. If you are sensitive, don’t read it.

On top of that, there is a spoiler for OOTP. If you haven’t read it yet, by all means, please do so and then come back.

Hermione gazed up at the blue skies filled with large white clouds drifting above her and Ginny. Harry and Ron were also up there, practicing their Quidditch moves. This was what summer was meant to be. Sitting lazily in a field with a friend, chatting, trading secrets. Well, not all secrets.

“So, what did happen between you and Neville? You’ve been really closed mouth.” Ginny had a bunch of dandelions and daisies in her lap and was weaving them into a crown.

“And I plan to continue that way,” said Hermione, trying to not sound short with her friend. “Can we just change the topic? What did you think of that bloke you were dancing with last night?” It was hard to imagine that only yesterday they had all been in Diagon Alley and then spent the night dancing at a disco in Muggle London until the wee hours. Here at the Burrow, such places felt not just miles away, but worlds.

“He was nice, but he couldn’t keep his hands to himself. I didn’t like that. And it’s a good thing Ron was too busy to notice. I guess that’s typical Muggle for you -- a wizard would have shown more respect.” Ginny paused, hoping that she hadn’t sounded like a pure blood snot for saying that just now. It was sometimes hard to tell with Hermione what would get her riled up.

“He had nice eyes though,” added Hermione.

“You noticed that too? And the hair was nice. I could have quite fancied him if only he…”

Hermione had turned onto her stomach and was braiding three long blades of Flopsy Grass. It shimmered in her hands and her mind turned to – Snape. She couldn’t forget how he had looked at her. Really looked at her. For the past few years it had been as if Hermione was invisible, even though he’d sneer at her, shout at her, demean her, just like he’d do to the other Gryffindors, he never, ever looked at her. But yesterday, he stood within inches of her and stared into her eyes with intense black fire. ‘How much’ he’d asked. What if she had said, ‘15 Galleons?’ What would have happened then? He’d said he would need about an hour. How would that time have been filled? She’d never thought about the sex lives of professors. Flitwick? McGonagall? Hermione shuddered. All right, she had fantasized about Gilderoy Lockheart in the past. In her dreams, he’d recover enough to escape from St. Mungos and come to Hermione because she had all the right answers to his questions. He’d find her alone in the castle, back her up against the cold stone wall, rip open her robes and….

“HERMIONE! Hello? You haven’t heard a word I’ve said.”

“Oh, sorry Ginny, I think I was dozing.”

“Quite, with one of the silliest grins I’ve ever seen on your face. Spill it! Who is he? I didn’t see you dance with anyone but Ron and Harry last night.”

“It wasn’t anyone last night. However, I did see someone at Diagon Alley yesterday. But I think he’d mistaken me for someone else.”

“Cor, that sounds great. I guess. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Well, I,” Hermione sighed. “I had on that glamour Harry was talking about. So it didn’t really count.”

“Of course it counts. Silly cow! Look at yourself. I mean last year you were all skin and bones, especially after getting hurt and being stuck in the hospital wing again. This year, you’ve got hips and you’ve got lots on top. I’m so jealous I could scream.”

“Yes, and I needed a glamour to get a man’s attention anyway.”

“You’ve got to stop putting yourself down. You’re the smartest girl at Hogwarts, and if it hadn’t been for Snape winning some bet or something, you would have been head girl.”

“You had to bring that up again! Pansy Parkinson as Head Girl, I’m ready to be sick.”

“Anyway, you have a lot going for yourself. A lot more than me with these flea bites for titties.”

“Well, wasn’t I that way last year? You’ll catch up.”

“SO tell me about the bloke who thought you were someone else.”

“He was tall – dark – and ugly as sin!” Hermione laughed and threw grass cuttings all over Ginny. She got up and started running to the house.

Ginny got up and chased after her, “Just you wait ‘til I catch you.” She laughed.

&&&

Snape woke up naked and shivering from the cold. During his fevered sleep of the night, he’d managed to throw off all his covers. He found that he was stuck to the bedding with dried blood. Well, at least the remedy he’d used last night seemed to have worked for now. No further signs of infection.

He hobbled over to the bath and turned the taps on full blast. After he tossed some healing herbs into the water, he leaned on the tub waiting to crawl in. As he waited his thoughts went to last night.

When Snape had given allegiance to the Dark Lord it was with the understanding that he’d finally be free to study the Dark Arts to his complete satisfaction. Instead he found he’d given up all his freedom and gained nothing in return. Because of his skill in potions, he’d been forced to work for the Dark Lord in that capacity and that capacity alone. The promised lessons in the Dark Arts had been a shill. Almost twenty years as a bloody Death Eater and Snape thought things couldn’t get worse. However, the Dark Lord had managed to sink to a new low last night.

Easing himself into the fragrant, steaming tub, Snape continued to berate himself.

Almost forty, he thought, almost forty and yet reduced to acting the catamite to a bigoted, overgrown maggot. Sirius, you black cur, I suppose you’re laughing your arse off at this. Voldemort doesn’t wish to have me wind up in the wholesome safety of St. Mungos so he has stopped using the Cruciatus Curse on me. Instead he comes up with humiliating little punishments. While I have to pretend that I’m enjoying my acts of loyalty to the Dark Lord, you get to take it easy. I do hope you’re enjoying yourself, laugh it up since I’ll be probably be joining you in Hell quite shortly.

Snape held his breath and allowed himself to sink under the water. He came back up and began to scrub himself with a hard bristle brush and plain pine tar soap. He then began to wash his hair with the soap and thought about how incredibly stupid he’d been last night.

As soon as he had seen how the entertainment was running, he should have found a way to leave. Unfortunately, he thought that maybe, just maybe, this once he’d been able to get some useful information by staying. When it had come his turn to perform on the Muggle girl, he’d been unable to comply. Voldemort had seen it as rebellion when in fact, very simply, Snape had been impotent. He should have thought to bringotiootion with him to correct that problem. But he hadn’t thought. He was slipping. He knew it, and he no longer cared. Ever since Sirius had died, Dumbledore had trusted Snape less, and in return, Snape had tried less. It was damned Potter’s fault. Snape had failed him and Dumbledore refused to forget. Snape was in a downward spiral and didn’t wish to reverse it.

And, of course, the ultimate irony was seeing Tara again. NO. Not Tara, her look alike. Just to remind him of his further general failure as a human being.

He leaned back in the cooling water and let his memory rove one more time over her beautiful face and body. Suddenly, Snape opened his eyes and looked down.

So now you want to come out and play? Where were you when I needed you last night?

The erection continued to bob happily in the water.

Too late now. Go home, no one to play with.

Boo! Voldemort!

Finally the erection went down.

Snape got out of the tub and rubbed himself dry with a coarse towel. I guess I have one thing to be grateful for, he thought, at least my damn prick and I are still playing for the same team. The last thing I need would be to start getting excited by the Dark Lord’s buggery.

He noticed blood was dripping down the back of his leg. His sneer changed to a grimace as he put in another suppository and got himself dressed for the day.


A/N: Please read and review. Yes, it’s kind of dark, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel. I think.