Habeas Corpus

Chapter 2 - The Life of a Lawyer

These Muggles did have a way about things, thought Severus Snape looking at the set of expensive Saville Row tailored suits lined in his closet. It was Monday morning, his first working day as the managing partner of M&D. Never had Severus thought that he might enjoy being the boss. Not that he wasn\'t slightly apprehensive about his first day in the Muggle business world. He spent the whole of Sunday reading the recent editions of the Financial Times, watching what the Muggles called television and memorising facts included in a document titled: \"Due diligence of M&D\". He did, however, notice his mind seemed to wander off the business news slightly and he, more often than he liked it, caught himself thinking about Hermione Granger. The vision of her in the green Grecian gown haunted him mercilessly. He had to admit he acted against Dumbledore\'s instructions and did not reveal himself to Hermione. But the risk was worth the fun. He enjoyed not telling her who he was and she couldn\'t make it out. After all he was a man and she was a woman, a beautiful and powerful one. He spoke to one of Hermione\'s teachers in her Auror training. She was described as extremely gifted and powerful. With proper training and stimulation, she\'d soon be considered as one of the most powerful witches of her times, if not of all times. Yet, it was difficult for Severus to accept that he was fantasising about his former studentgirlgirl whom he knew since she\'s been eleven.

He shook off the memories of his contemplation from the previous day and proceeded with getting ready for the office. A maid informed him that the chauffeur will have the car in front of the house at 8.00, just as Mr Herrensford wished it the previous night. He found it strange that the staff in the house behaved as if he was the master from the beginning of times. He wondered if Dumbledore had their memories changed. He would have to ask the old man the next time they saw each other. Severus looked at his reflection in the mirror for the last time and upon leaving his bedroom, brushed his hand through his short hair. It was the first thing Poppy did - cut his hair. It was now by no means very short, just short enough. He thought that it gave him a slightly sinister look. Furthermore, the hair was no longer as black as he remembered it to be. It was more black-gold-like and it matched his new complexion. Poppy told him that the complexion was the most difficult combination of tanning acceleration charms she had ever performed. When Poppy gave him a mirror after she had finished her ministrations, he thought it was scary what a haircut and a bit of \'tan\' could do to a man and it was the first time in a long while that Severus Snape felt good about himself.
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As soon as the sliding doors he ehe elevator opened to let Severus Snape into the offices of M&D, a young man welcomed him with a cry:

\"Good morning, Mr Herrensford! It is my great pleasure to welcome you in M&D, Sir. If you will allow me, I will lead you to your office.\"

\"And you are?\' asked Snape politely but in the tone of voice that indicated he was bored by the spectacle.

\"I am sorry, sir. My name is Jason Gomerheimer, I am the office manager...\"

\"Yes, good morning to you, too.\" Said Snape, \"Shall we proceed?\" By that time Gomerheimer looked mildly scared and
silently led the way. At the end of the corridor, Gomerheimer opened a door and Snape entered his office. It was spacious and so much to his liking. It was in darker colours and quite stately and it reminded him of his dungeons just a little bit. The walls were covered with books.

\"All the furniture has been delivered and placed yesterday under the supervision of your secretary, Sir...\"

\"My secretary?\"

\"Of course, Sir. Ah, here she is, but of course I don\'t need to introduce you, it is after all your secretary.\" Snape looked from Gomerheimer to the girl who has just entered. To his utter amazement, it was no one else but Virginia Weasley.

\"Ah, yes, Miss We...\" began Snape but he was cut off by Ginny who said;

\"Good morning, sir. Martha Weldon as always at your service. I trust you had a good weekend. I have made sure you had the office arranged to your liking. I trust you find it in order.\"

\"Yes, thank you Miss Weldon. It is always in order when you see to things.\" Replied Snape, still unable to comprehend how could it be that Ginny Weasley was his secretary.

\"Thank you, Sir. Would you like a cup of coffee or tea perhaps?\"

\"Yes, tea would be good, Miss Weldon.\"

\"I shall have it served to you in just a moment.\" She was about to leave when Snape said:

\"Miss Weldon, please have a basket of flowers sent to this address.\" He handed her a card: Miss Samantha Rhys and then the address of her flat. y loy looked at it, then looked at Snape and asked with an expression on her face that did not betray what she was thinking:

\"Any particular flowers, Sir?\'

\"Have your own pick. I am sure you will choose appropriately.\"

\"I will try, Sir. Would you like a card attached to them?\'

\"No... Yes. Yes, the card should say...: From an acquaintance, soon to be friend.\"

\"Very well, Sir. Will that be all?\"

\"Yes, just don\'t forget the tea.\" A smile played on his lips as she left and he noticed Gomerheimer still standing in the room.

\"And what can I do for you, Mr Gomerheimer?\"

\"Oh, I only meant to enquiry if you needed something from me.\"

\"No, not now anyway. Thank you.\" Gomerheimer left, closing the door behind him and Snape breathed heavily. What a moron, he thought about Gomerheimer, but at least, I\'ll get what Dumbledore wants - publicity. In fifteen minutes the information that I sent someone, probably a woman, a basket of flowers will be public knowledge in this office - he thought.

Three minutes later Ginny appeared back with his tea. He was opening his mouth to ask her how she came to be his secretary but she placed a card on his desk that said: Don\'t refer to me by my real name. Walls have ears here. As soon as he read it she threw it into the small shredder standing next to Snape\'s desk.

\"Sir, can we go through your schedule for today?\' asked Ginny.

\"Yes, please.\"

\"You have a meeting with all the staff at 11 a.m. today. This is the short speech you will give.\" She handed him a short text. \"Then at 13:00, you have lunch with the heads of the departments. The agenda is here. And at 17.00, you have a meeting with Mr Gomerheimer concerning the personnel. This is the agenda. Finally, at 19.00, you have dinner with all the partners at the St. Jacques restaurant, the chauffeur will take you there.\" Snape was surprised by her efficiency. \"Oh, and I have ordered the flowers, you asked for. They will be delivered within an hour.\'

\"Thank you, Miss Weldon. I hope you know I appreciate your help.\"

\"Thank you, Sir. If you need anything from me, just dial 5574 on your telephone.\"

\'That should pose no difficulties.\" Replied Snape slightly grinning. At least his years long interest in Muggle ways won\'t be totally useless after all.
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Hermione had a frightful Sunday. She woke up only to discover, there were no house elves and she had to cook her own food or eat in restaurants. She decided that the second option was better and having dressed quickly, she found herself sitting in a cafeteria in the neighbouring tenement house. She sipped her coffee and thought about the events of the previous evening. She began wondering if maybe it was Severus in that black mask, after all. She tried to remember his voice. He definitely spoke hoarsely and the voice was deep but she couldn\'t remember if she knew the voice or not. She found the stranger appealing in a way and by now fully realised that she fancied Snape. She was still in the denial phase but there was some force driving her towards him. She was now of the view that it must have been his ambiguous character that she found so interesting. She could not read in him like in an open book and that was picking her curiosity.

Upon her arrival home, she was apprehensive not to find a reply to her owl to Dumbledore. She spent half of the day worrying and reviewing the instructions from Dumbledore, she was given back at Hogwarts. There were no activities previewed for her for Sunday and in general her Monday was free too, except that she had to come to St. Jacques restaurant at exactly 8:30 p.m. Finally at 6 p.m, Dumbledore\'s answer arrived. All is well. Fear not. Keep acting according to the instructions. Do not use owls for contact. Use Royal Post, address it to Lanark P.O. box 542. AD. She felt better for a while but she began thinking of the stranger again. By the time she was getting ready for bed, she was convinced that Snape and the stranger were indeed the same person and for some reason, Snape decided not to reveal himself. This was making him even more interesting.

Already in bed, Hermione\'s hand cupped her breasts, squeezing the nipples then drifting lower to the abdomen to finally delve down to tease at the triangle between her legs, her fingers toying with herself until the stiffness flowed out of her legs and her thighs relaxed surrendering to her touch and fantasy of Severus Snape. She slept peacefully that night and would wake well past midday if it hadn\'t been for the bell at eleven.

\"Who is it?\" she asked sleepily.

\"Flower delivery.\" Replied the voice from behind the door. Hermione opened it.

\"Miss Samantha Rhys?\"

\"No. Yes, that\'s me.\" She said and the man looked at her strangely before handing her the flowers. \"Please sign.\' Said he giving her a pen. She scribbled a signature and picked the box with flowers. She closed the door and placed the box on the table in the room. Inside there were 21 red roses and a card: From an acquaintance, soon to be friend. She smiled. She had no idea Severus was such a romantic or maybe it was just acting according to instructions?