You Promised It Would Be Forever - Edit

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 29 ~ Hermione Does Her Duty

Severus rushed back to his rooms, and summoned the house elf he had used last night from the kitchens. He instructed the small creature to switch the bottles of sherry back and to do it invisibly if he had to. The trembling house elf did as Severus asked, winking back into the study with the bottle of drugged sherry.

To the creature's surprise, Severus patted it on the head.

"What is your name, elf?" Severus asked it.

"Name, sir?" the elf replied, a bit shocked.

No one ever asked house elves their names. They just ordered them about.

Severus frowned slightly.

"Yes, a name. You do have a name don't you? I want to know what it is," the Potions Master said evenly.

"My name is Eli, sir," the house elf said.

"Well, Eli, you have given me the best service of any house elf I've known. Would you mind if I asked you to be the one to attend me from now on?" Severus asked him.

The house elf stopped trembling, his eyes wide.

"You wants me, sir? Me alone to serves you sir?" the house elf asked him in disbelief.

"If it is possible, yes Eli," the Potions Master replied.

The elf bowed deeply.

"Oh yes, sir. Eli would be pleased to have one master! Very pleased!" the elf said.

Severus became alarmed.

"Now, wait…I didn't say…" he began.

Suddenly, the house elf began to glow, and a tendril of light stretched out from the creature and wrapped around the startled wizard. It squeezed him for a moment, covering him in warmth, then snapped back into the elf with a crack of thunder.

Severus stared down at the elf.

"What did you just do, Eli?" Severus asked.

"You is my Master now, sir," the elf beamed at him, "We only works at Hogwarts because we has no masters and are unbound, sir. The great Dumbledore takes in unbound house elves sir, and says we can find masters when we wish. We can picks and choose them sir, if we likes."

Severus just stared at the elf.

"Eli will be very admired to be the house elf of the Snape, sir," Eli said bowing again.

Severus cocked his head at him.

"And why is that, Eli?" the wizard asked him.

"Because the Snape is fierce, and any house elf that serves the Snape is very brave. I am very brave sir," Eli replied.

Severus rubbed his hand over his face.

"I didn't mean for you to bind yourself to me, Eli. I have no idea how to take care of a house elf," he said to the creature.

"No worries, sir. I cares for myself. I will remains in the kitchens and works the same. But I will only have to serves you now and keeps all your secrets. No more bad, naughty students. Eli is most grateful sir," the elf said, "Most very grateful."

The elf bowed again.

Good gods. He had a house elf. Severus had no idea Hogwarts house elves could be bound to one Master if they chose to be. He thought they were bound to the castle itself. Shit. Hermione was going to flip. She considered house elf bonding to be nothing more than slavery. He immediately decided not to tell her.

"Do me a favor, Eli…don't spread this about too much. My…my friend doesn't approve of house elf service," Severus said.

Eli's ears flattened a bit.

"Ah you means the Spells Mistress you do in-outie with. We knows of her we do. She tries to free all elves, but we don't wants to be free. We likes work and service, we do. She does not accept this still?" Eli asked the Potions Master.

Severus was shocked the elves knew he and Hermione were involved. In-outie? Merlin's beard.

"No she doesn't," Severus replied.

"Then this is the second secret Eli keeps for his Master. The first is the Sherry of the Naked Dance," the elf said, bowing again.

Sherry of the Naked Dance? Severus bit back a chuckle.

"The Mistress will never knows about me, sir, until you wishes it," Eli said, "and my magic is for you too, sir. If you is ever in danger, sir, I will protect you and yours."

Severus thought about this. Although house elves were essentially servants, they had very powerful magic. They needed no wands or spells to use it either. Maybe this wasn't such a bad thing.

"That is good to know Eli, but I don't want you randomly appearing whenever I am in trouble. I will call you when I need your help. How do I summon you if I am not near a floo?" the Potions Master asked.

"Simply says my name as a command, sir. I will always hears you, sir. I am bound to you," the elf said.

"Very well, Eli. What I need you to do now is get rid of that sherry for me, so no one will ever find it," Severus said to the elf, who smiled a bit conspiratorially.

"Yes Master, considers it done, sir," the elf replied.

"Fine, Eli…you may return to the kitchens. I will summon you when I need you," Severus said to the tiny creature.

"Yes sir. Eli is always ready to serve the Snape, sir," the elf replied, winking out with the bottle.

Severus blinked at the space the elf had occupied.

Hm. He now owned a house elf. What a morning it had been.

Sherry of the Naked Dance.

Severus chortled as he headed to class.

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Severus had a tough day when he remembered tonight was the night Hermione was to accompany Lord Percival Hornswallow the 2nd for a night of dinner and dancing. His students paid for it too. He took a total of one hundred and fifty house points, assigned ten detentions with Hagrid, since Filch was gone, and browbeat several students of which three burst into tears.

Now he waited impatiently by his Potions office door to get a glimpse of Hermione before she left. He wanted to see what she'd be wearing. She was supposed to meet the wizard in Dumbledore's office promptly at eight o'clock. Kind of late for dinner.

Damn Albus.

He went immediately on point as he heard Hermione's door open. He cracked his office door and looked out just as Hermione stepped into the corridor. His mouth dropped open.

She was wearing a long, sparkling blue evening gown held up by a single strap that wrapped about her throat like a halter, her soft back exposed so low it almost stopped at the curve of her buttocks. Her hair was swept up into an elegant bun, tendrils hanging on either side, the nape of her very kissable neck revealed. She wore sapphire and platinum earrings with a matching necklace. And she seemed taller, which meant she was wearing heels, but they were hidden.

She looked delicious, too delicious. The witch began to walk up the hall and before Severus could stop himself, he was out the door.

He scowled down at the witch.

"You certainly went all out," he seethed at her.

Hermione sighed. She knew Severus wouldn't let her slip by him. She would have taken the floo to Albus' office, but sometime soot would get on her clothes. She didn't want to risk it.

"Do you like it?" she asked, spinning for the Potions Master, hoping to calm him. She knew she looked damn good.

"Of course I like it. What wizard wouldn't like it? I'm sure the Lord will love it," Severus fumed, falling in step with Hermione as she walked up the corridor.

"Severus, I dressed for the occasion, not for Lord Percival," Hermione said evenly. "The Bee's Knee's is a very exclusive club. I don't want to look like a frump."

Severus' eyes rested on his lover's lips. Hermione was wearing lipstick and it made her mouth look fuller, even more kissable. She wore eye makeup too. The witch looked stunning.

"You make sure to tell that wizard you are involved with someone," he growled.

"If it comes up in conversation, Severus, I will most certainly tell him," Hermione said as they walk out into the main hall.

She looked at Severus, who had not fallen back in the least.

"Do you intend to walk me up to Albus' office itself?" she asked him.

"Yes," the wizard hissed, his eyes locked on her.

She was so beautiful and going out with another wizard to eat and dance. He'd be holding her in his arms, feeling her soft curves…whirling her about the floor, probably thinking he'd like to fuck her.

Severus felt his belly tighten, and he grew hot all over. He let out a growl.

"Did you say something, Severus?" Hermione asked as they mounted a shifting stairwell.

"No," he said sullenly.

They arrived at the doorway that led to the corridor which led to Albus' office. They stopped in front of the gargoyle.

"Licorice Lippets," Hermione said, and the statue leaped aside.

"I'll see you later, Severus," she said.

Suddenly the Potions Master grabbed her by the shoulders and tried to kiss her. Hermione shifted her head.

"No, Severus. You'll smear my lipstick," she said, pulling away.

"It better not be smeared when you get back," he growled at her, "Or I'll have to smear one Lord."

Hermione shook her head, and ran her hand across his cheek.

"Severus, there's only one wizard for me, and that's you. Stop worrying. I'm not a little girl. He's not going to sweep me off my feet. This is a duty, not a date," she said, smiling at him.

Severus still scowled. The way Hermione looked, any wizard would want to sweep her off her feet and get her on her back.

Despite what she said about her lipstick, Hermione drew Severus down and kissed him on his cheek, leaving a red lip shaped stain on his pale skin.

"I'll see you later, Severus," she said, starting to climb the stairs.

"Wait!" Severus said, moving forward.

Hermione stopped and looked at him.

"Let me see your shoes," he said.

"Severus," Hermione said, "I don't want to. I know how you are."

"Show me," he demanded, his nostrils flared.

Slowly Hermione raised the hem of her gown. She wore four-inch strapped heels, also of sparkling blue. Even her small toenails were blue and sparkling.

Severus let out a long, stuttered breath, looking up at her as she lowered the gown.

"He'd better not touch you," the wizard breathed dangerously.

"Severus, I'll see you later. I have to go," Hermione said placatingly.

Severus watched as she walked up the spiral stairwell. Then the gargoyle jumped back in place.

He spun angrily and strode back down the hall, his robes billowing, and took the stairwells back down to the main hall. He started toward the dungeons, then stopped and disillusioned himself.

He waited by the main doors.

He wanted to see what this Percival Hornswallow the 2nd looked like. Personally Severus hoped he was about one hundred and seventy-five years old, toothless and walked with a stoop. But that image didn't fit one of the wizarding world's most eligible bachelors.

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Hermione heard voices coming out of Dumbledore's office. She stopped for a moment and checked herself, then knocked on the door.

"Come in," Albus called.

Hermione took a steadying breath. This was it. She turned the handle and walked into the Headmaster's office.

Albus was standing behind his desk, and standing in front of it was Lord Percival Hornswallow the 2nd.

Lord Percival was six-foot four, brown-haired and green eyed, and long lashed. He was quite handsome, with a warm smile, cleft chin and a dimple in his left cheek. He wore immaculate black dress robes tastefully embroidered with silver. His eyes narrowed for a moment as he looked at the witch appreciatively.

"Lord Hornswallow, I would like to introduce you to Miss Hermione Granger, our Good Will Ambassador. She will be accompanying you tonight," Albus said, his eyes twinkling.

The wizard bowed to Hermione, then strode over to the witch. Grasping her small hand gently but firmly, he brought it to his lips and kissed it gently.

He looked down at the witch, smiling broadly. He turned his head to look at the Headmaster.

"I must say Albus, I am feeling quite a bit of good will already," he said, then turned back to Hermione

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Granger. Thank you for accompanying me tonight," he said.

"It is an equal pleasure to make your acquaintance as well, my Lord," Hermione replied, curtseying as one did when meeting nobility.

Lord Hornswallow smiled in approval.

"Now, you have the directions, Percival?" Albus asked the wizard. Obviously they were quite informal.

"Yes, I will give them to my driver," he said, not taking his eyes off of Hermione.

"My, what a lovely little witch," he thought to himself. "Albus has outdone himself."

"Well off with you both then. Your reservations are for eight-thirty. And have a wonderful time," Albus said.

Lord Hornswallow offered Hermione his arm.

"My lady?" he said, arching one eyebrow in a way that reminded Hermione of Severus.

Hermione slipped her arm into his.

"My Lord," she said, smiling up at him.

"We are off then," he said opening the door and walking through with Hermione.

Suddenly, Percival stopped and leaned his head back into the office.

"Don't wait up for us, Albus," he said, winking.

"Oh I won't," Albus replied grinning.

When the door closed, the Headmaster said to himself with a chuckle as he sat down at his desk, "But I'll bet my last sickle on who will be waiting up for you."

Albus drew a few parchments close to him, picked up a quill and started working on some long overdue paperwork.

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"So Miss Granger, Albus tells me that in addition to your Ambassador duties, you work on the side as a Spells Mistress," Percival grinned at her.

Hermione laughed.

"Well, I prefer to think it is my Ambassador duties that are on the sidelines, but yes, I am a Spells Mistress," she replied.

"And how did Albus rope you into such a position?" he asked her. Percival was well aware of Albus' manipulative ways.

"He basically said I was young, single and had to do it," Hermione replied, "and he is my boss, so here I am."

"Ah yes, the authority of the boss. Quite fortunate for me, however. You are lovely, Miss Granger. I believe I am going to enjoy our evening," Percival said sincerely.

Hermione blushed, but didn't say anything as they descended to the main hall, arm in arm.

Disillusioned, Severus' belly tightened as he saw his witch on another wizard's arm…and she was blushing! What had he said to her?

Severus studied the wizard. Tall, green-eyed, well dressed and handsome. Not to mention wealthy. What worried the Potions Master most was that the man was a Slytherin. No matter how well mannered, polite or generous a Slytherin was, you could be sure self-interest and self-gain were underneath every move he or she made.

"So, Miss Granger," Lord Hornswallow said as they walked past the disillusioned wizard, "Tell me something about yourself that few people know."

Hermione looked up at him and thought a minute. She certainly couldn't tell him she was a bit of a masochist, which was an understatement.

"I love ballroom dancing," she confessed.

Severus frowned. Hermione had never told him that. He knew she liked to dance and had taken her out once or twice to clubs, but never anyplace were there was formal ballroom dancing.

Percival grinned down at her as he opened the main doors for both of them.

"How nice," he said, "I happen to appreciate ballroom dancing as well. We can trip the light fantastic tonight."

He squeezed Hermione's arm encouragingly, and she smiled up at him.

Severus was furious. How dare she smile up at him like that…it looked like an invitation to kiss her. Shit…how was he going to monitor this situation? He followed them outside, hearing Hermione gasp.

Standing in front of the castle was a gleaming black carriage. A wizard in a top hat sat on top of it, holding reins attached to the lead horse of what appeared to be three black muggle horses harnessed in a single line with strangely shaped blankets on their backs.

Hermione looked at the horses. They were beautiful, anxiously pawing the ground, obviously ready to go.

"Lord Hornswallow, what beautiful horses. But they couldn't possibly get us to the Bee's Knee's on time," she said, looking at the beasts with wide amber eyes.

Percival patted her arm. Severus frowned blackly at the familiarity the wizard did it with. He didn't want the man touching his witch at all. It was obvious however, that he would be the entire night.

"Ah, my dear Miss Granger. I guarantee these particular horses will get us there in plenty of time," he said, then he raised his voice, calling to the driver. "Show her, Jenkins"

"Aye sir," the mounted wizard replied. He whistled and shook the reigns. Suddenly what Hermione thought were blankets on the horse's backs extended, fluttering in the night air. They were wings! Beautiful black, strong wings.

"Oh my gods, they're Pegasii," Hermione gasped bringing her hand to her mouth. "They're so rare, especially black ones, my Lord. I don't think I've ever seen them used to pull carriages."

"No, I have the only team of Pegasii in the world, Hermione. They came at great expense, but were worth every galleon. I must say my boys had a time breaking them. Riding a wild Pegasus is very dangerous. Luckily no lives were lost in the process. Now come, my dear. It is time to go," he said.

Jenkins made as to dismount to get the carriage door.

"No, you stay there Jenkins. I will help the lady in," Percival said, opening the carriage door and helping Hermione in, his hand slipping to her naked back in the process as he eyed her appreciatively again.

Severus growled as the wizard touched her flesh. The door closed and Jenkins flicked the reins.

"Fly on now, boys!" he shouted at the horses, who took off galloping then leapt into the air, their wings flapping powerfully, drawing the carriage and Hermione away into the star-filled night.

Severus watched them go, his chest feeling tight. Hermione was bound to have a wonderful time with the wizard. Her eyes were already shining with excitement when she saw the carriage. He knew she was only doing her duty, but if the wizard was taken with her, what would stop him from pursuing her further. The man was a Slytherin after all. If he didn't do it openly because she was involved, he would use his connections with Hogwarts to get her out on other outings with him.

Severus slowly walked back inside the castle, worried he was about to be outclassed. He wasn't a poor wizard by any means. He had galleons coming in by the thousands from potions he had created and patented, the residuals sent directly to his Gringotts account. Actually, he didn't have to work if he didn't want to, but he was used to working every day and the students, dunderheaded as they were, offered him challenge.

He wished there was some way he could monitor their outing. He trusted Hermione, but he didn't trust the wizard. Percival was experienced with courting witches, and Hermione had only known Severus, who was more of a "give me what I want" kind of wizard, direct and to the point. He didn't "woo" and his courtship technique was more of a lengthy seduction. Hermione had no doubts as to what he wanted from her when he zeroed in on the witch. Severus doubted Percival worked that way. He would be more circumspect, more roundabout, more cunning.

Severus walked down the dungeon corridor, his steps slow as he wondered what was going on in the carriage right now. He wished he could at least listen in on their conversation, as he did when Hermione was going to therapy…

Severus halted for a moment, then began to jog to his rooms.

He realized he had never neutralized the listening patch to the "Speak-Easy Voice Capture Kit" he had purchased from Fred and George Weasley and placed on Hermione. Maybe it still worked.

He quickly entered his rooms and walked to an area of his bookcase that had a false front. It was quite high and the book titles in front of it would not draw Hermione's attention. He unwarded the niche and removed the speaker box, closed the books back then carried the box over to the small table in front of the fireplace. He set it down carefully, then twisted the knob. He had no idea how far the patch could transmit, but it was worth a try.

There was some static, and crackling…then he heard Hermione.

"What a breath-taking view!" she was exclaiming.

"Yes, night flying is wonderful," Percival agreed, his eyes on the witch sitting across from him, leaning her face toward the window. "The stars appear so close, you feel as if you can snatch one from the sky."

"Yes," Hermione agreed, smiling.

Severus sighed with relief, as he retrieved a glass and half a bottle of firewhiskey from his cabinet and sat down in the armchair. He would hear everything.

Hermione was not alone tonight.

She had no idea she was out with two wizards.

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A/N: Ah Severus, Severus. You are something else. And how about Eli latching on to him. lol. It seems like I have to sneak that elf into every story. :) Well, let's see how this 'outing' goes. Please review.