Affairs of the Mind
Chapter 3 - Getting to know Severus
Her office was small and quite dark with mahogany panelling. There was a single writing desk with a chair on either side, all the walls were covered with book shelves that she had managed to fill after one day at the ministry. There was also a small filling cabinet in the corner, Crookshanks, her cat, was asleep in his basket on top of the cabinet. Crookshanks now lived at the ministry, mainly in Hermione’s office. Ron hated the cat so she agreed that he would stay at the ministry. On her desk was a picture of her with Ron, Harry and Ginny. Hermione quickly grabbed it and shoved it into her drawer before Snape had a chance to see it and ridicule her for it.
“P-please, take a seat, Sir,” Hermione stuttered, she felt incredibly nervous and could feel her palms sweating.
“I thought you would never ask,” he said in his soft, velvet voice.
She had never been alone with her professor before, never mind alone with him in a room this small. She could smell him, he smelled intoxicating. He was a potions master after all, she thought, but this smell was more manly, musky and passionate. Not anything like the way Ron smelled... he still smelled like a sweaty teenage boy.
Snape took the seat opposite Hermione, looking at her from head to foot.
“Do you always dress so provocatively for work?” he said, hinting at a smile.
“No. Today was meant to be a short day for me and I had plans. Do you think I dress like this for the Minister’s amusement, Sir?” she asked, thinking that’s probably what Ron would say.
“I have told you before, Hermione, there is no need to address me as ‘sir’. I am no longer your professor, you may call me Severus.” he said, calmly and irresistibly. Hermione couldn’t remember his voice being so alluring.
“Oh, right. Erm ... Well I’m not sure that I can. I mean, it feels sort of disrespectful.”
She curled her fingers around a lock of hair, looking nervous as she didn’t know what to expect from him. Then he simply said, “Try.”
“Er ... ok, would you like a cup of tea Severus? Or perhaps a glass of Pumpkin Punch?” she asked shakily.
“Tea would be wonderful, thank you Hermione.”
“Trix!” Hermione shouted. And an unusually large house elf appeared with a ‘crack’.
“How can Trix help Miss Hermyony?”
“Can I have a pot of tea and two cups please, Trix?”
Without another word there was a loud crack, signalling Trix’s departure.
“I’m glad to see you have finally grasped the idea of house elves. It’s a damn sight better than trying to trick them into taking poorly made clothing.”
“Yes, well. Scrimgeour insists,” said Hermione, feeling rather embarrassed.
“What is it exactly that I need to do, then? I have to leave by 4 at the latest,” said Hermione, feeling concerned. Snape just looked amused at this comment.
“I am afraid, Hermione, that I will need your assistance this evening. We will be working through the evening until you are finished with the first task. Scrimgeour has permitted you the full day off tomorrow; you can rest and fulfil your appointment then,” Snape had a look of enjoyment on his face, he was indeed enjoying this. Hermione thought it was probably withdrawal symptoms for not having lots of young wizards to take out his angst. “You will make me a new, identity, on paper at least. Records of family bloodlines, certificates, marriage records, etc. I have some hair from an unfamiliar wizard in the south of France to add to some Polyjuice Potion. I need the accounts and family records tonight, tomorrow morning at the latest. You best get to work, Mrs. Weasley.”
Hermione was so annoyed, but she knew there was nothing she could do. She took out a piece of parchment and wrote a quick note to Ron.
Ron,
I’m so sorry about this morning, I was planning to make it up to you tonight, but now I
have to work late.
Sorry, I love you!
Love, Hermione.
She rolled it up and called for an owl.
“Why do you feel the need to apologize for this morning? Being a naughty wife already?” asked Snape, amused.
“That has nothing to do with you, Severus! Please give me the information I need and I will get on with it. I work best alone, leave it on my desk and I will attend to it when I get back.” Hermione stormed out of her office. Why was he so infuriating? She would go back, hopefully to her empty office and get on with her work.
On the way back up to her office Hermione wasn’t taking much notice of where she was going, she was on autopilot while thinking of her current predicament. She bumped into the one person she least expected. She fell onto her knees then looked up.
“Ron, what are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to see why my wife isn't returning home! Why are you so dressed up for work?” Ron looked like there was smoke about to shoot out of his ears.
“Not that you’ll believe me, but I was intending to do something nice for you. That was of course until Scrimgeour put a stop to that. I’m up to my eyeballs, Ron. I don’t have time to stand here talking about this anyway. I’m far too busy. Go home, or go to work, and I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Hermione got up, reached her hand to his face and tucked his shaggy ginger hair behind his ear. “I promise I’ll make it up to you Ron.” She kissed his cheek and walked towards her office, leaving Ron staring after her until she was out of sight.
She entered her office to find Severus Snape sitting at her desk. He had taken his robes off, and had his feet upon her desk.
“Ah, I wondered when you would return. Was your husband upset?” he asked.
“Yes he was, and what are you still doing here?” she demanded.
“At the moment, Hermione, my home is being searched, countless times, and it is not safe for me to go back there just yet. My other home is too far away for me to go there and be back this evening, for when you have finished your assignment. It is better for you this way too; I am at hand for any questions you may have.” he said plainly.
“Questions?” Hermione asked.
“Yes, questions. Do not make me repeat myself, Hermione.”
“Alright,” Hermione gave Snape an intrigued look. “How do you do it?” she asked.
“How do I do what?”
“Live through lies? Do you even remember the last time you were yourself, instead of the mean character you portray yourself as?” As the words came out of her mouth, she had surprised herself at what she had said. Although Snape did not ignore the question, as she would have expected. He merely said,
“What is it to you, Hermione? Are you inviting me to, as you say, ‘be myself’ around you?”
“What? Yes of course, you should be yourself around me Severus. I don’t like your false exterior; in fact you are quite mean. Who is the real Severus Snape?” As Hermione said this, she dropped a few papers off the top of the pile she was carrying. She bent over to pick them up.
“Hermione, are you wearing underwear?”
OH MY GOD! Is it possible that I have just shown him my arse? Oh God, I hope not. She thought to herself.
“Well?” Said Snape.
“Yes of course I am! What on earth to you think you are doing looking at my arse anyway, Severus? Some girls would find that rude and irritating!”
“Some girls? Not you?”
“Yes. Of course me.”
“You are lying to me, Hermione,” said Snape. Hermione was filling with rage, as Severus just sat there, calm, with a half crooked smile on his face. Hermione caught a glace at his crotch while she was pacing frantically...bloody hell...she had never noticed his bulging groin area before!
“I know you are not wearing any underwear, Hermione. I am a Potions Master and therefore have a nose for these things, and I can smell your cunt...you are aroused by me.” As Snape said this, in his erotic velvet voice, Hermione could feel herself become moist. She was turned on by him, but she shouldn’t have been.
“I assure you, Snape! You could not be further from the truth.” She had to get out of there, but she had too much work to do. She picked up the pile of paperwork and the information Snape had given her and headed for the door. It was locked.
“DAMN!” She turned around to shout at Snape, but he was already directly behind her, stood so close to her, that when she turned around, her hand grazed his firm torso.
“I am correct in my assumption, aren’t I, Mrs Weasley?”
“LET. ME. OUT!” Hermione said, in the most authoritive voice she could muster. It wasn’t very powerful, but it was enough. “No, you are not, Snape.”
“Would you care to prove it?”
“Yes, but-“ and with that answer, Snape penetrated her mind using Legillimency.
He was whirling through her thoughts, her recent memory, the glancing at his crotch, the way his voice made her feel, the way her heart beat faster when he was in her presence.
Hermione did not know how to use Occlumency though she frantically tried to push him from her mind.
“Fine. You’re right. But it doesn’t matter anyway, Severus, I am married to Ron.”
With that, he let her go, physically and mentally. He then turned and Apparated out of her office.
Hermione felt her emotions take her over. She fell to the floor, tears streaming from her face. Why was he affecting her so much?
Ten minutes later, she got up and began her assignment.