The Punishment of Secrecy

Just like anything else you\'ll see on this site, I don\'t own the characters, the places blah blah blah. You know the drill. This story is littered with BDSM issues; spanking, whipping, domination, paddling,sadistic behaviours etc. If you don\'t like this sort of thing...TURN BACK NOW and DON\'T READ! If this is your cup of tea...continue. It\'s a long one (at least 70-75 pand and not even close to being finished. Check back often for updates. Enjoy...
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When she arrived, the common room was empty and the fire nearly extinguished. She quietly made her way to the girls’ dorm when someone called out to her from the shadows.
“How’d the detention go Hermione?” the voice called.
She strained her eyes in the darkness and saw Harry and Ron sitting in the corner, still pouring over homework. She smiled at them as she walked, trying to keep the butterflies in her stomach from giving away her calm exterior.
“Fine,” she said grouchily. “He had me scrub all the desks and then clean out the vials from today’s lesson. And not with magic mind you! I had to do it all by hand,” she pouted. She hoped that they would not see the flush she felt building in her chest. She knew her robes were ripped and grubby but hoped in the dim lighting that they couldn’t see it.
“That’s how Filtch is with me. When I get detention with him, I have to do things as a muggle. Really annoying with the cleaning he is…” Ron said, trailing off.
“So what is it that took so long?” Harry asked.
“There are a lot of desks and you know how much of a perfectionist Se…Snape can be,” she said, catching herself before muttering his name. “I had to scrub not only the tops, but the legs and bottoms of them. I don’t think it’s been done in years. Then just as I thought I was done, he said it wasn’t good enough and I had to redo some of them. Royal pain in the ass he is.”
She wanted nothing more than to go to bed this instant, but knew if she were to run off too fast, they would get suspicious. She sat down on a large over stuffed chair next to Harry and glanced at his homework, pretending to be interested.
“So you are going to help us tonight or not?” Ron asked, frustrated at the amount of homework they had. mostmost certainly will not!” she said. “You two still haven’t learned how to manage your time. I have almost the same classes as you, probamoremore, and detention and my homework is done. I think I’m going to bed. See you both in the morning,” she said quietly, getting up and walking painfully towards the stairs.
“Oiy! Hermione…what’s that on your robes?” Ron shouted. She stopped trying to imagine what it was he saw when she remembered that she had not cleaned up after r esr escapade in the dungeons. Feeling the flush rise in her chest again, she turned slowly towards him and smiled.
“Oh that? That’s just some of the cleaner that I got on my robes. I’m sure it will come out in the wash. Goodnight boys, I am exhausted.” With that, she walked quickly up the steps and into the dorm.
~~

Severus sat at his desk lofterfter Hermione left his office. He couldn’t believe all of the things that had happened tonight and was wondering when he could manage another repeat performance. While he was happy that he was her first, he wished that she had told him. Had he known, he could have at least taken her to his quarters and made sure she was comfortable. It was foolish of him to assume that she was experienced just because of her age. He sat there smiling at his memories when there was a small rap at the door.
“Enter,” he said softly. He turned to see who would be up at this late hour and in his doorway stood Draco Malfoy.

“What are you doing out of bed Mr. Malfoy? It’s late,” he said, suddenly exhausted and ready for bed himself.
“Professor, I was just wondering the same about you?” he said leering. Severus became nervous and started going over the precautions he’d taken earlier. Had he locked the door? Was there a chance that someone could have heard through two-foot thick stone walls? He was positive he’d taken all the necessary precautions but it still left him quite shaken.
“I am an incurable insomniac Mr. Malfoy. I stay up late most nights. You, however, Head Boy or not, are not to be out of your bed past the specified times. I dare say there is anything so dramatic going on at one in the morning that myself or Mr. Filtch couldn’t take care of.”
“Oh well that’s where I think you are wrong, Severus,” Malfoyt att at him. “I believe what we have here is a professor in an uncompromising position. Why on earth was that mudblood Granger in your office until just a few moments ago?”
Severus felt his face grow paler and it suddenly felt too hot in the room.
“She was serving detention, Mr. Malfoy, not that it’s any of your concern. And you shall address me as Professor”
“I think I’ll address you however I choose to do so from now on Severus. See, I had the unfortunate duty of late night patrol of the hallways, due to Mr. Filtch’s flu. Seems he fell ill this afternoon and asked me, since I’m so trustworthy, to take over the duties. I just happened to wander down into the dungeons, you know, checking to see if anyone was out of bed, when I heard some things that might not be considered appropriate.” Malfoy stood in front of Snape, cockily and bold. Draco knew he had his professor in a situation he could not get out of so easily. However, in his arrogance, he forgot that his professor, while performing an unspeakable act on another student was also much more skilled and cunning than he was in his seventeen years.
“And what exactly, pray tell, did you think you hear?” Severus said greasily, his hand on his wand.
“I heard you fucking a student is what!” Malfoy shouted, leering hatefully. “And to think you call yourself a true Slytherin. What a load of bull. I mean, of all the students in Hogwarts, you had to choose a mudblood, filthy little muggle born trash. I mean, do you know the number of female students in your own house, honorable, full-blooded witches that would kill for a chance to be your girlfriend? No of course you don’t because you’ve had your nose up Grangers arse for years. Do you think I’m blind, or stupid?”
“Of course I don’t think you are either of these things, Mr. Malfoy. If you are anything like your father, you’re good at pretending to be, but are far from it. However, we’re not discussing you or your father here. I want to know what it is you think you can do with this information.”
Draco walked around the desk and sat down in the chair directly opposite from him, resting his head on his fingers. They glared at each other for a few moments before Draco smiled and spoke yet again.
“See professor, I think it’s in the best interest of all those involved that we don’t make this a public issue. You could lose your job. As much as I detest Granger, I would hate to see her be made out as some kind of whore. Youw, sw, seeing as it was her first experience and all,” he chided.
Snape gripped his wand even tighter. How long had that little bastard been listening? He wondered. He knew that what ever needed to be done, needed to be done fast or he risked getting the both of them in trouble deeper than they could dig themselves out of.
“So what I was thinking of doing Severus, is letting you have your little secret in exchange for…” he paused, making Snape squirm in his seat. “I think Granger would do nicely in exchange for your secret.” He grinned evilly. Severus’ mouth dropped open.
“you you not say that she was a filthy little mudblood? Why would you want her?” Snape asked, trying to buy some time.
“Well, as nasty and disgusting as she might be, she could still have her uses. In fact, I thought using Granger as a way to build up my own manhood would be great fun. Then, when I was done with her, maybe introduce the wonderful world of sex to my nds.nds. I mean, they deserve to know what they’re missing too don’t they? Especially poor Crabbe… he seems desperately unable to catch even the ugly girls. Then, when I was satisfied that she’d been humiliated and degraded enough you could have her back. That sounds reasonable enough doesn’t it?” he sneered.
Severus knew that he was out of options. What Malfoy suggested was nothing less than whoring out the woman he cared about and he wasn’t having it. She was not a prostitute or concubine, but the woman he loved, the woman he promised that he would not let get hurt.
“No Malfoy, that is as far from reasonable as one could get. I can’t accept those terms. In fact,” he said, drawing his wand on Malfoy “I don’t think we’ll be doing any bargaining here tonight.” Malfoy laughed coldly.
“And what are you going to do about it Severus?” he spat. “You do anything at all to me, someone will find out. You’ll lose your job anyway and I’ll expose you. You have no choice!”
“OBLIVIATE!” Snape yelled as he stood, his wand firing directly at Malfoy. Malfoy stood, stock still for a moment then laughed.
“I knew you were no more than a simple fool. Do you really think I didn’t think of this from the beginning? I used the Memory Charm Blocking Spell before coming to see you. You could hit me with it all night and I’ll no more forget than you would tell your dirty little secret. Now, SIT DOWN PROFESSOR, and we will discuss the arrangements of our bargain.”
Defeated, Severus sat in his chair, head in his hands. He’d just had the most exciting night of his life ruined and his mind was racing. He didn’t know what else to do.
“Draco,” he said softly.
“Yes?”
“I think we should involve Hermione in this. I mean she is the one that is going to have to deal with this. I think you should be the one to tell her.”
“Oh but of course. I was hoping tomorrow after classes were over, the three of us could sit down over a cup of tea and discuss the arrangements. I have it all here,” he said, pointing to his head. “Or if you’d like, we can have someone fetch her now and we could go over it.”
“No, she’s probably already in bed,” he said dejectedly. “Let her rest. I’ll tell her tomorrow after class and we can set up a time then.”
“Great!” Malfoy said, cing ing his hands. “Then it’s settled. Good night Professor.”
He rose from his chair and walked swiftly from the room, slamming the heavy door behind him.
For the first time in his life, Severus felt completely out of control of the events taking place and he sobbed himself to sleep.

**

Hermione woke the next morning, sore but happy. She bounced around the room as she dressed, causing everyone to stare at her. Lavender found her behavior peculiar and questioned her a it. it.
“What are you so happy about? It’s early and I know you just got back to the dorm a few hours ago. How can you be happy about being in detention with Snape most of the night?” she asked.
“It’s not the detention silly. I am just in a really good mood. We have a small exam in Charms today that is going to be so easy it’s not funny; there is Care of Magical Creatures with Hagrid. I am looking forward to his take on the diricawl that he’s captured, like to see the lot of them ing ing at Malfoy. Can’t a person just have a good day?” she said, her hand on her hip.
“Well, yes, people are allowed good days….” Lavender started. “But you seem to be having a remarkably good day, and it’s only seven in the morning! And you look different. Did you do something? Have you been out in the sun because you look a little flushed.”
“My god Lavender, it’s seven in the morning, and you’ve already started playing high inquisitor. Why not shut up and mind your own irs irs for once,” Hermione said playfully. She didn’t want trouble but she didn’t feel that she had to be questioned about her whereabouts either. “I just think it’s a great day, I didn’t mean to snap at you,” she said apologetically. Lavender continued to stare at her strangely but didn’t question her further.

When Hermione entered the great hall and found her place at the Gryffindor table alongside Harry and Ron, she glanced up at the staff table quickly. Severus was sitting in his usual spot, but had his head buried in the morning paper. She shrugged it off and ate her breakfast, talking to her friends as though it were another day. When she chanced another look at her lover, she found him staring at her and looking disheartened. She could think of no reason why he would be unhappy after their encounter the previous night and it troubled her to see him looking so pitiful. When he realized that she was staring back, he turned his attention to his own house table. She followed his gaze and saw Malfoy glaring between the two of them. Her heart began to race. What was he acting so arrogant about? She didn’t know what it was he was doing, but she didn’t like it. She finished her breakfast quickly, glaring at Malfoy on her way out of the great hall. She scribbled a quick note to Severus and sent it off at the owlrey. She found it silly that the bird would only have to fly around the building, but it was the only way she could get a message to him. Something in that look Malfoy gave her sent chills up her spine and made her insides churn. She tried to ignore the growing knot in her stomach. Just as she entered the History of Magic classroom, an owl stood pecking at the wi. Sh. She opened it and it dropped a small roll of parchment in her hand, flying off almost immediately. She scanned the room, which was almost empty save a few early arrivers and read it quickly. It was from Severus telling her that he needed to talk to her. It was short and did not alleviate her anxiety, instead, increased it ten fold. She put the note in her backpack and tried to concentrate on her studies.

Potions class rolled around slowly. She’d never looked forward his his class until this year, and now that she was in it, she felt dread weigh down on her. Snape was at his desk, head bent over a laroll oll of parchment, Malfoy was in his seat, grinning wickedly at her and the tension in the air was heavy. She sat down to one of the worst potions classes she’d ever been through. He barely spoke, and when he addressed someone, he snapped at him or her. She felt terrible, thinking she was the cause of his short temper, but didn’t know what she could do. Halfway through class, she felt someone staring at her and turned to see Malfoy leering at her again. She rolled her eyes at him and tried to concentrate on her potion again, but found it futile. The class ended and as they were gathering their books and putting things away, Severus approached her.
“Miss Granger, a word please,” he said, then walked to Malfoy’s desk and said the same. After everyone had left the classroom, she and Malfoy stood in his office and waited. He walked in moments later and closed the door.
“It seems we have a bit of a problem that needs to be addressed,” he said shortly. “Miss Granger…” he started but Draco cut him off.
“Oh please! Why don’t we cut through the bullshit now Severus? Call her what you call her in private. Hermione.”
Hermione felt herself get hot and the flush return to her face. Draco knew. He’d somehow found out and this was his revenge. How could she have been so stupid?
“Malfoy, this is my meeting. You’ll have your say this evening. Can you both meet me here at eight tonight?”
They both nodded, although, Hermione’sd wad wasn’t in the room. She was thinking of how terrible she felt because she was sure Severus would lose his job. She heard him speak, but didn’t comprehend any of it until Malfoy practically screamed her name.
“I’m sorry, what?” she asked fearfully. She looked to Severus who only hung his head.
“What I said Granger is that the jig is up. You are not the goody-goody every one thinks you are and I know it. Thankfully, I’ve told no one else about what I know, so it’s between the three of us. We’ll discuss our arrangements tonight. Is that all Severus?” he mocked. Snape nodded and Malfoy left the room, shutting the door behind him.
“Severus what’s going on? How does Malfoy know? Oh my god, I’m so sorry. This is terrible…your job…what will we do…” she stammered, trying to hold back the sobs she felt building in her chest. He wd ard around his desk to her side and took her hand.
“Well, he knows. I’m sure he’sng tng to spill it all tonight. Please don’t let this all rest on your shoulders. I’m as much to blame as anyone. We shouldn’t have…” he started but stopped when she shook her head violently.
“NO! I won’t let him ruin something so good, so pure. I won’t! He’s not going to hold this over either of us. We will get this sorted tonight. Severus, I will do anything to keep you from getting fired,” she said vehemently. “I don’t care what it takes, even if I have to bow down and kiss his ass, I’ll do what ever it takes. You don’t need to involve yourself in this. I’ll take care of it. And don’t try to argue with me; you won’t win,” she said with a weak smile. He nodded and chanced a quick kiss on her cheek before she stormed out of his office.
Bow down and kiss his ass? He thought. That’s putting it lightly.
***
More later...