A Maid in the Devil's Manor
folder
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
51
Views:
39,403
Reviews:
483
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
51
Views:
39,403
Reviews:
483
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Hermione's Decision
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
*******************************
Chapter 22 ~ Hermione’s Decision
Hermione’s eyes widened, and her lips compressed to a tight, thin line. Her brows began to draw together. She started to speak but Severus held up his hand to stop her
“Miss Granger, before you give me a flat out ‘no’ let me state my case,” he said.
Hermione settled back in her chair, a little frown on her face.
“Ok. Let me hear your case,” she said. She didn’t seem too up for it however.
Severus took another sip of his cognac, then set the glass down and fixed her with his most compelling gaze. He began.
“Miss Granger, up until the point you invited me to peruse your research, everything was going fine for you. You had a job you were satisfied with, and a flat of your own. Your only problem was continuing your worthy project. The moment I enter your life, it is turned upside down and you lost your job and your residence, at a time when your resources are low. Not only that, your good name has been besmirched publicly, and you become a recognized public figure of ill-repute.”
Severus looked at her keenly. The witch was listening, betraying nothing with her expression. Severus continued.
“I tested a rent-a-flat book with your name yesterday. I received an “Unsuitable Applicant” response to every inquiry I sent out. Even with the more expensive apartments, your name was instantly turned down. Obviously, you have been blacklisted and will be unable to find a suitable dwelling until the onus connected with your name has passed. An onus that you wouldn’t have if not for me.”
“As far as your job goes, you weren’t actually fired, but driven by your outrage to suddenly resign, thus cutting yourself off from any benefits you could have collected if you had been released. If not for your association with me, Miss Granger, you would have never been brought before the board and accused of giving information to Death Eaters. So currently, you have no income and again that is due to me, regardless of your choice to leave the Ministry.”
“You have been spending your money on keeping your project alive, and as a result have no resources to fall back on, since all your potential savings went to continuing your work. So you have no resources. I am not responsible for your lack of resources, but if not for me you wouldn’t be needing extra resources in the first place.”
“Miss Granger, I am an onerous, sarcastic, and bitter man, but I have never, ever shirked my responsibilities. If I have caused someone to suffer needlessly, I do my best to make restitution in a fair, and timely manner. I know you are an independent young woman, and would not like to rely on another to provide for you, but in this case, Miss Granger, I will not be ‘providing’ for you, I will simply help you until you can get on your feet, since I am the reason they were swept out from under you in the first place. As I see it, Miss Granger, you will not be able to find employment in your field, and I would hate to see you as a clerk earning minimum wage in some squicky establishment. It would be demeaning and put you up for public criticism and scorn. In all honesty, you might not be able to procure even that lowly position, people being the way they are.”
“Your only hope of restoring your life, Miss Granger, is to develop the solution to the Killing curse. Once you have done that, the nature of our association can be revealed, and you will receive the accolades of the wizarding world and be welcomed with open arms wherever you choose to go. Employment will not be a problem. Every Spells Company will want you. It is a logical step then, in your efforts to restore your life to a state of sanity, to utilize the rooms I have provided for you, and dedicate all your time to your research and development of the Killing curse solution. You must remember, as your patron and partner, any and all costs will eventually be recovered upon the successful completion of this project. The amount of money that will be made will dwarf any expenditure that I put out, so in all reality you will not be living here for free. I will recoup everything and then some, Miss Granger.”
“The only other argument I can see about you staying in the Manor, is what it could do to your personal reputation. You may be accused of being my paramour and that I imagine to you would be a horrible designation, to be considered the lover of someone with my background and reputation by the wizarding public, but even that is a moot point, because you are already under that onus as well. People believe we are more than business partners, so your reputation is effectively ruined again, until you complete this project. Staying at the Manor will allow you to devote the necessary time you need to finish the work. So you see, Miss Granger, I have logical reasons for asking you to stay at the Manor.”
He hesitated a moment, then continued.
“The only other downside is that Hogwarts will be letting out for the summer and I will also be here. If you allow me to actively work with you, then I may be of some assistance, but I am equally ready to stay here at Hogwarts for the duration of the summer months if that would make you more comfortable with the arrangements. This project is important Miss Granger, I am sure you are aware of this. We need to do all we can to facilitate a successful conclusion. So please, consider my offer to stay at Snape Manor. It is the only option you have that makes sense.”
He stopped talking. Hermione just looked at him.
“I’m finished,” he said, a little lamely.
Hermione’s eyes swept over the Potions Master. He had put forth sound reasoning concerning her staying at his Manor. She noticed he looked a bit nervous. That was a new one. Generally he was very self-assured. It was obvious her response was quite important to him. He was right. She didn’t want to be under anyone’s thumb, but the way he explained it, she would not be. She would spend her time working on the project, and actually that was something she had secretly longed to do, devote all her time and effort to the challenging work. She couldn’t because she had a ‘real’ life. She had to earn money. Staying at the Manor would free her from that, and she could be guilt-free because she knew her patron would recoup his expenditures. But what about money. What could she do for that? She asked him.
“What about money?” she asked. “I can’t expect you to give me money, Professor. Then I really would be a ‘kept women’ even if we aren’t lovers.”
Severus had been prepared for this.
“We can do one of two things, Miss Granger. I could pay you a salary to work in the labs on the project, but that would take away your partner status, and I would have all rights to the research and the counter spell. I do not like that idea. The second option is I advance you a sum of money in an account of your own, and recoup it when the project is successfully completed and made public. I like this far better. It is an acceptable business practice, and allows you to maintain our association. I am very willing to do this, with the condition that you do not try to control the amount of money advanced. You leave the amount up to me. It will be adequate I assure you.”
Here Hermione snorted. The Professor would no doubt fill an entire vault with galleons. He was far too extravagant with money. But she would control the actual spending. Just because he put it in there, didn’t mean it would all have to be used. Still, since it would be an advance, it wasn’t like he was taking care of her. It was a loan that would be paid back.
“I guess that could be acceptable,” Hermione said, still frowning at him slightly.
Severus was jubilant at this concession. The witch leveled her amber eyes at him and didn’t say a word for several minutes. Normally he was a relatively patient man, but the waiting for her to give him an answer was pure torture. Finally, he could take it no longer.
“Miss Granger,” he said with a hint of irritation, “Please, what is your answer? Will you come stay at the Manor?”
Hermione took another sip of her cognac, and sat staring at the glass thoughtfully. She was, of course, purposely drawing this out. It was rare she had such an advantage over her ex-nemesis. Hermione had more than a little bit of bitch in her.
“Miss Granger…” Severus said, imploringly this time. That’s the note she was waiting to hear in his voice.
“Very well. I will stay at the Manor for the duration…” she said.
The Potions Master was about to say something when she cut him off.
“But…you will come stay at the Manor during the summer months. I refuse to run you out of your own home,” she said, her amber eyes meeting his black ones. Then she started.
The Professor was smiling. Actually a full-blown smile that went from his mouth to his eyes. He had a beautiful smile. It changed his features entirely in a very pleasant way. Hermione cocked her head at him. He must have used some of the wizarding teeth whitening products over the years. His teeth weren’t white when she was at Hogwarts. Of course, she couldn’t help herself from teasing him.
“Professor! You’re…you’re smiling! And your face didn’t crack!” Hermione said.
Severus immediately scowled at her.
“Miss Granger, not only did you imply that I do not have human feelings when we arrived this evening, you now imply that I cannot smile without causing some damage to my person. As you saw, I most certainly can. You have insulted me twice, so far. If this is how you are going to constantly dehumanize me while at the Manor, I can assure you, you will never see me smile again,” he sniped at her.
But inwardly his smile was as broad as ever. She had accepted!
Hermione looked at him consideringly. His smile had been a glimpse into the man he could have been if not for all his troubles. She thought she would like to see him smile like that again sometime.
“You know Professor, I think you never smiling again would be a real shame,” she replied.
She held up her glass to him. For a moment he just stared at her, confused.
She made a little forward motion with her glass, and he understood.
The Potions Master picked up his glass and clinked it against Hermione’s.
They both drained their glasses, their eyes locked. They were agreed. Hermione was moving into Snape Manor.
And Severus’ life.
********************************
A/N: ooh wee! Severus did it. Have to admit he worked the logic factor to death. Hermione isn’t stupid at all. She knows a good thing when she hears it. And school is letting out. Severus will be on the premises and most likely, on the prowl. Heh heh. On another note, I hope Severus’ speech presentation was all right for the reading. It was so long I thought it best to break it up rather than write it as one long piece. Please review.
*******************************
Chapter 22 ~ Hermione’s Decision
Hermione’s eyes widened, and her lips compressed to a tight, thin line. Her brows began to draw together. She started to speak but Severus held up his hand to stop her
“Miss Granger, before you give me a flat out ‘no’ let me state my case,” he said.
Hermione settled back in her chair, a little frown on her face.
“Ok. Let me hear your case,” she said. She didn’t seem too up for it however.
Severus took another sip of his cognac, then set the glass down and fixed her with his most compelling gaze. He began.
“Miss Granger, up until the point you invited me to peruse your research, everything was going fine for you. You had a job you were satisfied with, and a flat of your own. Your only problem was continuing your worthy project. The moment I enter your life, it is turned upside down and you lost your job and your residence, at a time when your resources are low. Not only that, your good name has been besmirched publicly, and you become a recognized public figure of ill-repute.”
Severus looked at her keenly. The witch was listening, betraying nothing with her expression. Severus continued.
“I tested a rent-a-flat book with your name yesterday. I received an “Unsuitable Applicant” response to every inquiry I sent out. Even with the more expensive apartments, your name was instantly turned down. Obviously, you have been blacklisted and will be unable to find a suitable dwelling until the onus connected with your name has passed. An onus that you wouldn’t have if not for me.”
“As far as your job goes, you weren’t actually fired, but driven by your outrage to suddenly resign, thus cutting yourself off from any benefits you could have collected if you had been released. If not for your association with me, Miss Granger, you would have never been brought before the board and accused of giving information to Death Eaters. So currently, you have no income and again that is due to me, regardless of your choice to leave the Ministry.”
“You have been spending your money on keeping your project alive, and as a result have no resources to fall back on, since all your potential savings went to continuing your work. So you have no resources. I am not responsible for your lack of resources, but if not for me you wouldn’t be needing extra resources in the first place.”
“Miss Granger, I am an onerous, sarcastic, and bitter man, but I have never, ever shirked my responsibilities. If I have caused someone to suffer needlessly, I do my best to make restitution in a fair, and timely manner. I know you are an independent young woman, and would not like to rely on another to provide for you, but in this case, Miss Granger, I will not be ‘providing’ for you, I will simply help you until you can get on your feet, since I am the reason they were swept out from under you in the first place. As I see it, Miss Granger, you will not be able to find employment in your field, and I would hate to see you as a clerk earning minimum wage in some squicky establishment. It would be demeaning and put you up for public criticism and scorn. In all honesty, you might not be able to procure even that lowly position, people being the way they are.”
“Your only hope of restoring your life, Miss Granger, is to develop the solution to the Killing curse. Once you have done that, the nature of our association can be revealed, and you will receive the accolades of the wizarding world and be welcomed with open arms wherever you choose to go. Employment will not be a problem. Every Spells Company will want you. It is a logical step then, in your efforts to restore your life to a state of sanity, to utilize the rooms I have provided for you, and dedicate all your time to your research and development of the Killing curse solution. You must remember, as your patron and partner, any and all costs will eventually be recovered upon the successful completion of this project. The amount of money that will be made will dwarf any expenditure that I put out, so in all reality you will not be living here for free. I will recoup everything and then some, Miss Granger.”
“The only other argument I can see about you staying in the Manor, is what it could do to your personal reputation. You may be accused of being my paramour and that I imagine to you would be a horrible designation, to be considered the lover of someone with my background and reputation by the wizarding public, but even that is a moot point, because you are already under that onus as well. People believe we are more than business partners, so your reputation is effectively ruined again, until you complete this project. Staying at the Manor will allow you to devote the necessary time you need to finish the work. So you see, Miss Granger, I have logical reasons for asking you to stay at the Manor.”
He hesitated a moment, then continued.
“The only other downside is that Hogwarts will be letting out for the summer and I will also be here. If you allow me to actively work with you, then I may be of some assistance, but I am equally ready to stay here at Hogwarts for the duration of the summer months if that would make you more comfortable with the arrangements. This project is important Miss Granger, I am sure you are aware of this. We need to do all we can to facilitate a successful conclusion. So please, consider my offer to stay at Snape Manor. It is the only option you have that makes sense.”
He stopped talking. Hermione just looked at him.
“I’m finished,” he said, a little lamely.
Hermione’s eyes swept over the Potions Master. He had put forth sound reasoning concerning her staying at his Manor. She noticed he looked a bit nervous. That was a new one. Generally he was very self-assured. It was obvious her response was quite important to him. He was right. She didn’t want to be under anyone’s thumb, but the way he explained it, she would not be. She would spend her time working on the project, and actually that was something she had secretly longed to do, devote all her time and effort to the challenging work. She couldn’t because she had a ‘real’ life. She had to earn money. Staying at the Manor would free her from that, and she could be guilt-free because she knew her patron would recoup his expenditures. But what about money. What could she do for that? She asked him.
“What about money?” she asked. “I can’t expect you to give me money, Professor. Then I really would be a ‘kept women’ even if we aren’t lovers.”
Severus had been prepared for this.
“We can do one of two things, Miss Granger. I could pay you a salary to work in the labs on the project, but that would take away your partner status, and I would have all rights to the research and the counter spell. I do not like that idea. The second option is I advance you a sum of money in an account of your own, and recoup it when the project is successfully completed and made public. I like this far better. It is an acceptable business practice, and allows you to maintain our association. I am very willing to do this, with the condition that you do not try to control the amount of money advanced. You leave the amount up to me. It will be adequate I assure you.”
Here Hermione snorted. The Professor would no doubt fill an entire vault with galleons. He was far too extravagant with money. But she would control the actual spending. Just because he put it in there, didn’t mean it would all have to be used. Still, since it would be an advance, it wasn’t like he was taking care of her. It was a loan that would be paid back.
“I guess that could be acceptable,” Hermione said, still frowning at him slightly.
Severus was jubilant at this concession. The witch leveled her amber eyes at him and didn’t say a word for several minutes. Normally he was a relatively patient man, but the waiting for her to give him an answer was pure torture. Finally, he could take it no longer.
“Miss Granger,” he said with a hint of irritation, “Please, what is your answer? Will you come stay at the Manor?”
Hermione took another sip of her cognac, and sat staring at the glass thoughtfully. She was, of course, purposely drawing this out. It was rare she had such an advantage over her ex-nemesis. Hermione had more than a little bit of bitch in her.
“Miss Granger…” Severus said, imploringly this time. That’s the note she was waiting to hear in his voice.
“Very well. I will stay at the Manor for the duration…” she said.
The Potions Master was about to say something when she cut him off.
“But…you will come stay at the Manor during the summer months. I refuse to run you out of your own home,” she said, her amber eyes meeting his black ones. Then she started.
The Professor was smiling. Actually a full-blown smile that went from his mouth to his eyes. He had a beautiful smile. It changed his features entirely in a very pleasant way. Hermione cocked her head at him. He must have used some of the wizarding teeth whitening products over the years. His teeth weren’t white when she was at Hogwarts. Of course, she couldn’t help herself from teasing him.
“Professor! You’re…you’re smiling! And your face didn’t crack!” Hermione said.
Severus immediately scowled at her.
“Miss Granger, not only did you imply that I do not have human feelings when we arrived this evening, you now imply that I cannot smile without causing some damage to my person. As you saw, I most certainly can. You have insulted me twice, so far. If this is how you are going to constantly dehumanize me while at the Manor, I can assure you, you will never see me smile again,” he sniped at her.
But inwardly his smile was as broad as ever. She had accepted!
Hermione looked at him consideringly. His smile had been a glimpse into the man he could have been if not for all his troubles. She thought she would like to see him smile like that again sometime.
“You know Professor, I think you never smiling again would be a real shame,” she replied.
She held up her glass to him. For a moment he just stared at her, confused.
She made a little forward motion with her glass, and he understood.
The Potions Master picked up his glass and clinked it against Hermione’s.
They both drained their glasses, their eyes locked. They were agreed. Hermione was moving into Snape Manor.
And Severus’ life.
********************************
A/N: ooh wee! Severus did it. Have to admit he worked the logic factor to death. Hermione isn’t stupid at all. She knows a good thing when she hears it. And school is letting out. Severus will be on the premises and most likely, on the prowl. Heh heh. On another note, I hope Severus’ speech presentation was all right for the reading. It was so long I thought it best to break it up rather than write it as one long piece. Please review.