A New Beginning (DH -COMPLIANT)

Chapter 23 ~ Upwards and Onwards

Hermione watched Severus meticulously read over her notes, study her diagrams and leaf through her journals, completely absorbed, his dark eyes shifting left to right. On occasion, his brows lifted and creased, and he cross-referenced one or two parchments as if comparing them, before continuing on. He didn’t say a word to her during his perusal.

Bored, Hermione asked him if he would like something to drink. The wizard scowled at the sound of her voice as if it were an irritation.

”Fine,” he said shortly, not lifting his eyes.

Hermione thought it was a less than gracious acceptance, but didn’t say anything as she walked to the kitchen and poured two glasses of pumpkin juice. She returned and sat the glass beside the wizard, then sat back down at the other end of the table.

The pumpkin juice sat there, untouched as the wizard continued reading. Finally after two and a half hours, he put the last parchment down and sat back looking thoughtful. Then he looked at her.

”Still eager,” the wizard thought as Hermione looked ready to start gabbing.

Well, so sorry Mrs. Weasley.

”I am quite satisfied with your work, Mrs. Weasley. You have quite a grasp on the technical workings of Charm development. Your progress with the Jaberia plants looks quite promising,” he said.

Hermione blinked at him.

”Don’t you have any questions?” the witch said to him.

“No. I don’t. Your research was quite thorough and well presented. As I said, I am satisfied and wish you to continue your work,” the Potions master said, rising.

What? This was it? He just reads her work and says “good job?” That wasn’t “discussing” anything. She scowled slightly at the wizard.

”Wait, Professor. I have some questions for you then, if you don’t have any for me,” the witch said.

Snape looked at her with a bit of exasperation.

”I have work to do, Mrs. Weasley. I have no time to socialize,” he said to her rather coldly.

“This is work-related,” Hermione snapped.

Like she wanted to socialize with him. Not in a million years, the snarky bastard. Hell, she could have just sent the research over to wherever he stayed at if all he was going to do was read it.

Snape sat back down.

”Very well, Mrs. Weasley. Spout on,” he said snarkily.

Hermione’s eyes flashed at him and the wizard felt a bit of satisfaction on getting a rise out of her.

“Firstly, I want to know what I got wrong on the test you gave me when I was first hired. You just said yourself I have an admirable command of the technical aspects of the creation of Charms. So what did I get wrong?” she demanded.

Snape smirked at her.

”I see you still have issues about not receiving perfect marks, Mrs. Weasley,” he purred at her.

”No, I have issues at not getting the marks I deserve. Now what did I get wrong, Professor? I have a right to know,” the witch said, folding her arms.

Snape studied her for a moment.

”You answered every question correctly, Mrs. Weasley,” the wizard said.

“Ha! I knew it! I knew I didn’t get anything wrong. So why didn’t I get perfect marks?” she demanded.

”The answers were correct, however you had a few spelling errors,” he replied.

”What? Spelling errors? You took off points for spelling errors?” she said incredulously.

“Sloppiness counts, Mrs. Weasley. You should have rechecked your test before handing it in,” Snape said evenly, enjoying her anger. “If you wanted a perfect score, you should have done perfect work.”

Hermione let out a high-pitched squeal, her hands clenching into fists as she glared at the Professor. He didn’t help any by smirking back at her.

”You are just as insufferable as when you were my teacher,” the irate little witch snapped at him. “I can’t believe you’d let a couple of spelling errors detract from my work. All my answers were right!”

”Believe it,” he replied, making the witch even madder, “Now, is there anything else you need to get off your chest, Mrs. Weasley?”

Hermione stared at him, then realized she was acting like a child. He did justify why her mark wasn’t perfect, and he was entitled to use his own system of grading. She visibly deflated. There wasn’t anything she could do about it. She had so wanted to take him to task for being blatantly unfair. Oh well. On to the next topic.

”Yes. Since I know who you are, Professor, I’d like to be able to leave the worksite at will. I presume you had me regulated to one hour a day so you would be able to move about freely,” the witch said, “I’d like to be able to get a bit of morning air sometimes, or to be able to walk about and clear my head if I have to give a problem a bit of extra thought. It makes no sense to keep me inside now.”

Snape looked at her consideringly. She was right. It didn’t make sense to keep her locked up now.

“Very well, Mrs. Weasley. The wards will be readjusted tomorrow to allow you to enter and exit the building freely. They will still be protective however,” he said, “No unauthorized visitors.”

”I understand that. Now what about the wards outside, Professor?” she asked him.

“What about them?” he asked.

“What are they guarding? Why can no one enter those areas?” the witch inquired.

”Those were my fields. I grow potions ingredients, quite valuable ones. I can’t have them being trampled all over and I didn’t want to be seen while attending them,” the wizard said.

“What kind of ingredients?” Hermione asked excitedly, looking very impressed.

The wizard looked at her consideringly, then rattled off the list of plants, flowers and herbs he cultivated. Hermione looked fascinated.

”I even have a crop of Susarium Folani,” the wizard said.

Hermione drew in a breath.

“You found a crop of Susarium Folani, Professor? That fungus is so rare. Oh my gods!” she said, her eyes lighting up. She had never seen the fungi living but had worked with dried powders made of it before.

”No, I didn’t find it. I grew it,” the wizard responded.

He thought Hermione would fly out of her chair she became so excited.

”But, but that’s impossible, Professor. Wizards have tried for years to make the spores stick and generate. No one’s been successful. No one,” she said.

Snape scowled at her.

”Are you insinuating that I am lying, Mrs. Weasley?” he asked the witch, his nostrils slightly flared.

Hermione looked taken aback.

“Oh no, Professor . . . I didn’t mean that at all. I’m just … just stunned you’ve managed to do it. How did you manage it?” she questioned him, all ears.

”I’m afraid that is a trade secret of Sparse Venues Inc. Mrs. Weasley. I can’t expect to cash in on my discovery if I blabbed how I did it to everyone who asks me,” he replied.

”Oh,” Hermione said, feeling stupid.

Of course he wasn’t going to tell her what he used. The witch brightened.

”Professor, do you think I could see the fungus? I’ve never seen it in its natural state,” the witch asked him breathlessly.

Hermione reminded him very much of herself as a girl at Hogwarts. She was quivering in her chair. She didn’t look too bad quivering.

”It is in a cave on the top of a mountain,” the wizard said slowly.

”So. I can climb, Professor. Please, won’t you show it to me?” she asked him, “Please?”

He studied her for a moment then said, “Actually, my current crop has matured and is ready for harvest. As you know the fungus must be quickly sealed when scraped or it loses potency, and the air removed from the container before sealing. It is rather difficult to do alone. Perhaps . . . perhaps having you along wouldn’t be a bad idea. But if I remember correctly, you have a fear of heights, Mrs. Weasley, which is why you don’t fly by broom.”

”Yes, but I’d climb to the top of Mount Everest to see that fungi,” the witch said with conviction.

If Hermione visited that cave, she wouldn’t have to worry about climbing. There was only one way to reach it.

“I see,” the wizard said, rising, “Very well, Mrs. Weasley. Consider yourself onboard. I will come retrieve you tomorrow evening just before sunset. The fungus doesn’t do well in direct sunlight and I transfer it in darkness. Dress in comfortable, loose fitting clothing and trainers. I’ll have gloves and a hairnet for you so you don’t contaminate the fungi. Be sure to bring your wand. I’ll be here about five.”

”Oh, thank you Professor,” Hermione gushed, a broad smile on her face. This was going to be her first adventure in ages.

”You’re quite welcome,” the wizard said, heading out of the study.

Hermione followed him. The wizard opened the door and turned to look at her.

”Might I make a suggestion, Mrs. Weasley?” he asked her silkily.

“Yes. What?” Hermione responded, still on cloud nine about harvesting the Susarium Folani.

”Next time you hear a shower running, call out and ask if anyone is using it before investigating,” he purred at her.

Hermione turned all kinds of colors as the image of the wizard’s naked body, shaved loins and huge organ returned.

”All right,” she said in a small voice, wishing she could just disappear.

Snape stared at her for a moment, his head slightly cocked. He looked as if he wanted to say something else about the incident, but instead said, “Good day, Mrs. Weasley,” and left Hermione’s apartment.

”Oh gods. Why did he have to bring that up?” the witch said, flushing again, “I could have lived a happy life without ever dredging that up again.”

She turned and headed for the study to collect her paperwork and push Professor Snape and his trunk of a tool out of her mind.

It took a while.

*******************************

Snape slowly walked back toward his home, looking thoughtful. Yes, he could take down the wards now, both on the building and around his fields. He would leave up the basic protections however, including keeping his home warded. He didn’t want the witch just “dropping in” for a visit whenever she felt like it.

He had to admit it was nice to have someone to talk to after all his time alone. Hermione really was quite a brilliant witch. He’d be interested in discussing Charm theory with her at some time in the near future. He wouldn’t begin planting until early spring, so he was going to have a lot of free time on his hands, even with his brewing.

Hermione might not be his first choice as someone to socialize with, but she was the only person available. He’d have to be satisfied with her for now. At least she had a brain.

Snape realized Hermione would be the first witch he’d be on friendly terms with since . . . since Lily. For the first time since her death, he didn’t feel that usual twinge of guilt when he thought of her or that deep sense of sorrow he had grown used to. The wizard had received the closure he needed. She didn’t hold him at all responsible for her death, or for Voldemort’s rise. The despot’s existence was a matter of destiny and more than likely he would have found another way to come to power if not with the Potions master’s help. And what was most important, Lily had loved him. Always loved him.

The wizard breathed in the sweet air deeply as he realized that the lightness he felt was a clear conscience. He never had that before, not even as a child. His parents argued so much and like most children he inadvertently blamed himself for it. Finally, in his late fifties, Severus Snape knew what it was like not to be burdened with guilt.

He truly was free now.

********************************

Hermione hurriedly finished up her work and donned a pair of loose-fitting jeans, a long-sleeved shift and a set of blue robes. It would be cooler on the mountain. She tied her trainers then went outside to wait for the Potions Master. She was very excited.

The climb might be a bit tough, but she’d make her way through it or get the Professor to help her. She was going to help him collect the fungus, so it was only right he’d help her over the most difficult parts of the climb. Besides, he would have told her if he thought she wouldn’t be able to handle it, and probably take pleasure in the telling.

Suddenly the wizard strode through the trees. He wore black robes and had a bag strapped across his chest. Most likely it held everything they’d need to harvest the crop. The wizard stopped and eyed her.

“Are you ready, Mrs. Weasley?” he asked her.

Hermione nodded with a big smile.

”More than ready, Professor,” she replied.

”Let us go then,” he said striding up the path.

Hermione hurried to catch up with him. She noticed that there were no signs scattered about.

“What happened to the ‘Keep Out’ signs?” she asked him.

“I took them and the wards down for now. I won’t be doing any planting for a few months. There’s no need to waste the magic,” he said shortly, “But that doesn’t mean I want you trampling all over the grounds. The earth is hard enough after the winter months.”

Hermione scowled behind his back. Her walking through those empty fields wasn’t going to hurt anything. But she didn’t respond.

They turned off the path and began walking through the forest, going around the mountain. Hermione noticed the mountainside became more barren and vertical. There didn’t seem to be any way up this side. The trees thinned, turning to brush, then grasses, then barren ground as they walked. Finally they were at the mountainside. It seemed to go straight up. Hermione looked at the wizard.

”There’s no way to climb,” she said to the wizard.

”No there’s not,” the Potions master replied, checking his bag to make sure it was secured.

”But you said we’d have to climb up the mountain,” Hermione said to the wizard, who studied her for a moment.

”No, YOU assumed we would have to climb the mountain. I never confirmed that,” he replied.

”So how are we going to get up there then?” the witch asked him, “You have a broom?”

The wizard shook his head.

“Brooms don’t work here. I have to protect my interests,” the wizard said, looking a bit amused.

”So how are we going to get up there?” she asked him.

”I will carry you,” the wizard replied, “We are going to fly up, Mrs. Weasley.”

Hermione paled.

“Fly?” she asked for confirmation.

The Potions master flapped his arms, looking like a big black bird for a moment.

”Yes, fly. Unless you wish to return to the safety of your apartment,” the wizard said, “I am fully aware of your . . . fear of flying.”

Hermione looked at the wizard. Was he trying to be funny? There was a book entitled “The Fear of Flying” by a muggle author Erica Jong about the sexual escapades of a married woman who desired to “fly free.” Was Snape . . . no. No he couldn’t be. He had to be referring to her dislike of brooms.

Then Hermione remembered that Professor Snape could fly without a broom. The fungus was quite valuable, it figured he’d have it someplace nearly inaccessible and make sure no one else could access it but him. But flying?

And if she did go, that meant . . . that meant she’d have to be in close contact with him. Oh gods. That was the last thing she wanted. Her eyes drifted over the wizard for a moment, completely unaware that she was doing it, her gaze lingering on his loins for a moment.. The Professor was quite aware of her perusal however as well as where her eyes rested for a moment.

He must have made quite an impression.

”The sun’s not going to wait for us, Mrs. Weasley. Do you stay or do you come with me?” he asked her impatiently.

”I’ll go,” she said, her voice still quite trembly.

The wizard opened his arms.

”Come here, Mrs. Weasley,” he said to her, his dark eyes glinting a bit.

Hermione hesitated, then walked forward, stopping a couple of inches away from him.

”You’re going to have to get closer than that witch,” the Potions master said in a low voice.

Hermione took a small step forward, still not coming in contact with him.

The wizard scowled, then grabbed her, pulling Hermione tight against his hard lean body, the witch gasping as he wrapped his arms around her.

”Put your arms around me,” he directed, “Hold on to me as if your life depends on it . . . because it does.”

Hermione felt disoriented as she wrapped her arms around the wizard. He felt so much different than Ron. They were pressed body to body and to her horror, she could feel his cock. It wasn’t hard, but her body was pulled tight against the bulge.

The Professor was very aware of Hermione’s soft curves pressed against his body. It was a contact he wasn’t used to. When he engaged prostitutes, he always took them from behind. He steeled himself, trying not to react to the feel of the witch’s body against his own. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to fight nature and throbbed. Hermione felt it and instantly stiffened in his arms.

Not knowing what else to do, Snape breathed “Locomordres” and took off with the witch, both of them rising, Hermione clutching him tighter as she fought the urge she had to wrap her legs around him for added support. That would only make a bad situation worse.

They didn’t ascend too quickly, the wizard rising slowly so they could adjust to the thinning air. Hermione was petrified for two reasons. Firstly, because they were flying and she was scared to death of heights and secondly, because the Professor had a full-blown erection beneath his robes that was pressing and pulsing against her belly.

Snape was aware of his condition too, but his hard-on was purely reactionary and there was nothing he could do about it now.

Distinctly uncomfortable, witch and wizard slowly ascended up the mountainside, entwined and breathing heavily . . . and not just because of the dwindling oxygen content.

**************************
A/N: Finally, another chapter. Thanks for reading and for being so patient. I still feel out of it because of the pills, but I’ve finished them and the scratch on my cornea has lost that cut-glass feeling and is just a little burn now. It’s bearable.