Never Piss Off a House-Elf

After a stout breakfast, Hermione and Severus had gotten dressed and spoken with Miki and Satchel about how to send things along and set them up at the school. Hermione would share quarters with Severus until the Head Boy and prefects arrived, at which time she would return to her own rooms as Head Girl. While the engagement was widely known, the couple was doing this in deference to several nasty howlers addressed to Albus.


"You'd think that people would stop and moment and regard the situation instead of assuming you've been molesting me, or that I've had designs on perfect Potions marks. If that's what I'd been after, I would have had to throw myself at you from day one," Hermione groused as she packed things into her purse. Satchel had most of her things, but Hermione preferred to have her wand and muggle identification on her person, along with the muggle identification Severus turned out to have. "Do you realize, Severus, in the past six years, the only perfect marks I managed in Potions were on things I did for Slughorn?"


"I imagine he had those designs on you," Severus said, distracted yet annoyed.


"Severus!" Hermione laughed. "That is beyond gross, and something I'd never think of him."


"He thought it of Lily. Why wouldn't he think it of you? Besides, is it any better for you to have designs on me, or for me to want a prepubescent chit of a Know-It-All?" Severus asked. It rankled that people were saying such things about him, though he knew they'd never been true. He hadn't even given the girl a second look until her fifth or sixth year, glances he felt ashamed of, even though he'd been a wee bit tipsy when they'd happened. He studied Hermione, enjoying her blush.


For while she'd had no designs on Professor Severus Snape for her grade point average, she had the occasion naughty thought. . . dream. . . daydream. . . fantasy about him since she'd realized in her fourth year that there was a difference between boy-people and girl-people, thanks to Viktor Krum. Viktor's sloppy kisses were unremarkable, and when Hermione pushed his inept pawing away, the Bulgarian had blamed it on his "beeg, strong, Quidditch playing hands"; if he hadn't mentioned his own hands, perhaps Hermione never would have noticed the slender, skillful hands of her professor.


While rather uninterested in the Professor's personality thanks to his nasty attitude in class and outside class. . . and everywhere else. . . Hermione had never developed a true crush on him; she'd always been after Ron. But for some reason, Hermione felt herself willing to bother her instructor for help in learning how to dice specific roots without crushing them. She was fascinated by how his hands were so sure, and quick, never distracted by the goings on in and out of his reach while he worked, at least to Hermione's sight. She held him in the highest respect, though she never let it show, but respect was certainly not what kept her watching, even when he was at his rudest.


Shaking he head to clear it, Hermione tried to latch back onto the conversation. "Certainly, Severus. I agree, you know. Pollywog bladder definitely should be cheaper, especially when you consider its relative ease of gathering."


"Hermione, I'm not sure that was even a human response. Where has your mind wandered off to? I'm sure it shouldn't play in the street on its own," Severus said dryly, watching her. He'd lifted a few images from her mind, and they were quite intriguing. He brought his hands from his sides to fold them carefully in front of him, stretching each and every digit, hearing her breath catch. "Ah, your mind was in the gutter, as they say. Much as I would like to join it there, we have to be on our way, and we wouldn't be able to say goodbye if we were incapacitated."


Hermione felt her face burn. She couldn't say whether or not Severus had read her thoughts, but she knew her face and body was too expressive for her own good. He wouldn't have to read her thoughts; he could just read her body.


"Well. At least you know where to find it," Hermione said lamely. Severus smirked at her. "I know you know how to smile. A smug smile can often take the place of a smirk, with all the cockiness and less of the sting, Severus."


He sighed. Hermione clipped the snap at the top of her purse and tapped her foot impatiently. Severus nodded and grabbed a bag of Floo Powder, tossing some into the room's fireplace, which suddenly roared to life.


"I thought we were saying our goodbyes?"


"Aah, yes," Severus said. He'd wanted to slip out, but Hermione would have no peace with him, not after he'd embarrassed her. "Lead the way."


Miki and Satchel bowed and winked out. Hermione turned to Severus and nodded, leaving the room with him trailing behind. They made their excuses, but Hermione noticed that not only was Sirius absent this time around, Ron was as well.


"Harry, I'll owl you in a few days, once I'm settled. I can't believe that Dumbledore made you a prefect this late," Hermione said by way of congratulations.


"Me, too. I'll be coming to school soon, too, once Gin and I convince Mum we aren't going to get into trouble," Harry said, blushing. One of the other Gryffindor prefects had been transferred by his parents to a wizarding school far away on the continent, the family's way of protesting the Marriage Law and Hermione and Severus's engagement. Dumbledore had asked Harry to step in, and Harry had never known how to say no.


"Well, you aren't going to get into trouble because you're already there," Hermione laughed, hugging Ginny, too. "Where's Ron? I assumed Sirius would be absent, but. . . "


"He's more than a bit embarrassed about you seeing him sneaking around. Mum is happier about Gabrielle than Fleur, but Ron hadn't wanted to tell you ~-- at all. He's a right wanker sometimes," Ginny said.


"Runs in the family," Hermione said under her breath, and Harry nodded in agreement. Ginny rolled her eyes, but hugged Hermione again. "I'll see you both soon."


Severus had done little more than nod at people, save Albus, who'd latched onto Severus as if he were his own son, blubbering. Severus allowed it, but the look on his face told Hermione it was time to go.


"Bye!" Hermione said, waving to the small group. The twins were back at their shop, Bill and Fleur were on honeymoon, and assorted other guests and Order members had already left for work or assignment. She took Severus's arm, performed Albus-ectomy, and they left.


Once outside, it occurred to Hermione to ask, "How are we getting to Hogwart's? Are you going to apparate us in?" She knew that Severus had special privileges.


"No. Consider this not a gift but a necessity," Severus said, pulling out his miniaturized broom and expanding it to flying size. "I'd prefer not to apparate unless we need to. You can't apparate into my quarters, and Side-Along takes much power."


Hermione swallowed and allowed Severus to mount the broom first, climbing up behind him and wrapping her arms around him. He kicked off, and Hermione was left with her thoughts, and what he'd said.


How else could one apparate but with one's own power?


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The trip was shorted than Hermione had expected, and she'd already formulated a plan by the time they'd arrived. She followed Severus up the gently sloped hill the school sat on and waited while he performed the charm that would allow them entry. Miki and Satchel were waiting just inside for Severus and Hermione, and they both bowed low.


"Welcomes to the Master and Mistress," Miki said, curtsying daintily. "Miki is hoping the year is well and fertile for youse."


Hermione felt bile rise in her throat, but instead she just nodded. "Thank you, Miki. Have you met Dobby or his sister Dawny yet? They can show you around. Dobby's been here since the end of my second year, and he ~--"


Satchel was making a strangled sound, and Hermione knew she'd messed up. She thought a moment before she continued.


"~--is completely involved with the school and his own mate. But Satchel knows the school and can help you with whatever," Hermione finished, which garnered her a nod from Severus.


"Thank you for coming ahead and bringing our things. Satchel, can you take Hermione's school things to her Head Girl's room and make sure the bed there is maintained for when she returns to it?" Severus asked, and Satchel nodded. "Miki, please go with Satchel and learn the school grounds. You two report to us when called, but please work with the other elves when you are not needed by us."


"Yes. Thanks to you, Master," Satchel and Miki said, winking out.


"I'm awestruck, Severus. You know the word 'please'," Hermione laughed.


"I'm not cut out to be a long-suffering husband, Hermione. Stop making such an event of normal human protocol," Severus said, and Hermione stopped laughing.


"I'm sorry,' Hermione said quietly. She hadn't expected him to just ask her to stop; she assumed that he'd yell at her or order her to stop or leave, not ask her, and so plaintively. "I'll do my best, but occasionally I'll still say things like that. I promise to try to think before I do it, though, alright?"


Severus jerked his head in a nod, and for a moment, Hermione thought he'd give her a reason, or hug her, but instead he started walking to the nearest staircase.


"I'll show you the best routes to get to the dungeons. After that, I need you to go through your previous class notes and come up with major topics you've covered and haven't. I could take them from my past syllabi, but when he compares your notes with my past lesson plans, Albus can decide what you need to go back and review. I'd also like to look at your list before Albus comes back, so you need to have it ready by say, tomorrow, after dinner?


"We can eat and discuss plans for the school year and that project," Severus said, gauging Hermione's reaction. First she smiled, then her face fell a bit. "I thought you wanted to work on it with me?"


"I do, but if you're allowing me to do this simply because Albus told you to, it doesn't mean anything. Plus, I have an idea that I'd like to work on," Hermione said, a bit conflicted. "And if I try to work on my idea, I don't know how much help I'd be to you."


"Worry about that later, Hermione. Today, get reacquainted with your school, for this will be your home much of the year" ~-- at that, Hermione made a face. "What?"


"I'm beginning to feel a bit like Persephone, from the Gr~--"


"I'm aware. Greek myth as well as many other cultural myths aren't actually myth ~-- they are historical accounts written by muggles of wizarding escapades. Funny, I've always felt like Hades," Severus said, imagining Hermione in a crown of flowers and an easy to remove toga. He advanced on her, backing her up against the wall of the staircase. "Do you think she didn't know about the consequences of the seeds?"


He kissed Hermione then, tenderly at first, then more passionately. She inhaled his breath, letting him fill her; his thrust his tongue into her mouth. She nipped his tongue, drawing her hand up to cup the side of his face, knotting her fingers in his long, silky black hair. She pulled it slightly, and he grunted, pressing the full length of his body against hers.


Shifting so Hermione was supported by his knee, Severus grasped her breast and kneaded it gently, feeling it grow heavier, its tip hardening instantly. He sighed into her mouth, letting his tongue continue its exploration. He cupped her bum in his other hand, rubbing himself against her front until the friction was too much for him. She gasped, and he returned his attention to her mouth.


He drew her full bottom lip into her mouth, suckling it, drawing the blood into it till the sensation was almost too much. He pulled back, looking into her eyes.


"I think she didn't care."


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After their exchange in the staircase, Severs felt oddly light. Hermione hadn't said it directly, but he felt that she had moved past just coming to grips with their situation. Before, he would have said that it would just make his life easier. Watching Hermione dust things in his living room, Severus could admit to himself that it would make his life ~-- and their life ~-- not easier, but enjoyable, happy even. She bent to pick something up, and Severus felt his eyes glaze over a bit at the sight.


Unfortunately, the dark specter Doubt from his youth still lingered at the fringes of his mind.


Happy? Aren't you being a bit greedy, Severus, old boy? You had chances before; you weren't worthy then. What makes you think you're worthy now? Especially when the witch in question is so beautiful and smart. Best hope she isn't planning on poisoning you once you've gone completely soft.


When Severus finally came back to himself, Hermione was staring at him with a concerned look on her face. For a moment he wondered what she'd put in his breakfast. He glared at her.


"Severus? Are you alright? You were somewhere else for a moment. I think you have some PTSD," Hermione said, ignoring his glare. "What am I saying? After all you've done for the Order, you're probably the posterchild for it. Can I get you some water or juice?"


Severus considered ordering her to get the water, and ordering her to test it herself first. He fought inside himself for a moment before deciding.


"Would you, please, Hermione? I find that I have a bit of a headache, perhaps from the festivities yesterday," Severus asked. Hermione smiled and summoned a glass, and using the aguo spell, filled it for him. He took it from her, nodding. "Thank you, my dear."


"You're welcome," she said, moving to dust some other thing. For a moment, Severus thought about dumping glass and liquid, and Doubt laughed. Determinedly, Severus drank the water in one long gulp. The only side effect was a bit of coughing, because he drank too fast.


Hermione was there in a heartbeat to pat Severus's back and make sure he was alright. Hermione couldn't hear it, but Severus was silently thanking her for her trustworthiness.


"Be careful, Severus. There's only one of you," Hermione said, kissing his temple. "I'm going to go work on that list. Let me know when you'd like to eat, and I'll meet you back here, alright?"


Severus nodded. "I'll send Satchel for you. Would you prefer to eat in or out?"


"Its up to you. I'd forget to eat if you didn't make me," Hermione laughed. She squeezed his shoulder as she headed out of his quarters. "See you later, Sev."


Severus was about to scold her when he saw the smile on Hermione's face. She left without another word, which was remarkable in and of itself, but something else had happened, changed.

Doubt had died in the back of Severus's mind.