Snape's Story

“Why are you letting him do that to you?” Luna asked after Hermione had finished recounting the tale of the previous evenings fiasco. Luna, Hermione and Ginny were all gathered in Luna and George's comfortable parlor, a bottle of white wine on the table before them. George was out, attending his AA meeting at the Joke shop.

“Do what?”

“Manipulate you like that.”

“What are you talking about.” Hermione asked, taking a sip off her glass. “I upset him. I was so stupid, I didn't even think that he might have......that he might have been made to......while he was with Voldemort.” She couldn't bring herself to use the word “rape”.

“No.” Luna shook her head. “When you tried to get him to open up, to talk to you about it. He was only threatening to leave to shut you up, to make you stop asking him difficult questions. Surely you realize that? George used to do that to me all the time.”

Hermione eyes grew wide as she mentally replayed the exchange in her head. “Oh Merlin.” She moaned, burying her face in her hands, her shoulders slumping. “You're right. Why didn't I see that? I am the worst counselor ever. The Ministry should fire me.”

“No you're not.” Luna chuckled, wrapping her arms around her friend and hugging her tightly. “You're just emotionally invested. Everything is different when your emotions are involved.”

“No kidding.” Hermione snorted. “I was just so upset that I'd inadvertently triggered such bad emotions, that when he threatened to leave, I just crumpled. I'm pathetic.”

“You're not pathetic. You love him. It's hard to see clearly when you're in love. Anyway, how are you supposed to know what will upset or trigger him if he won't open up to you. It's not your fault.” Luna squeezed her tightly and kissed her cheek. “So other then that, how are things? Is he drinking? Any relapses?”

“Noooo.” Hermione said slowly. “He says he hasn't. And I believe him.....his hands don't shake and he seems to be over the stomach upset he experiences when he first stops drinking.” She paused, thinking. “But he's so touchy and irritable all the time.”

“How can you tell? It's Snape. He's always touchy and irritable.” Ginny snorted.

“Oh Ginny. He's not like he was in school.” She giggled as her friend rolled her eyes “Alright, he'll always be a bit snarky, but this is different then his usual snarkiness. And he has nightmares. Bad ones.” She said softly. “I don't think he realizes I know, but he cries out in his sleep.”

“Has he done anything more about finding another counselor?” Luna asked, pouring herself another glass of wine.

“No.” Hermione sighed sadly. “And he needs to do something. I think I've held off the ministry as long as I can. But he gets so angry when I try to talk to him about it, I've stopped bringing it up. Yes. More manipulation. I can see that now.” She sighed when Luna rolled her eyes at her.

“He needs to do something or it's only a matter of time before he has a relapse.”

“I know.” Hermione frowned sadly.

“Or goes to Azkaban.” Ginny added softly.

“I thought he might ask about the AA meetings when he met with George the other day, but he didn't.”

“Wait, what?” Hermione exclaimed sitting up straighter. “I didn't know he'd met with George. When?”

“Last week for lunch. He didn't tell you?” Luna paused while Hermione shook her head. “Maybe I wasn't supposed to say anything, but I told George about the lubrication we'd found in his house and he called Snape to talk about possibly marketing it as a Weasley product.”

“No.” Hermione sighed sadly. “He didn't mention it to me.”

~~~~****~~~~****~~~~****~~~~

“So when were you going to tell me about your meeting with George?” Hermione asked, rolling over and staring up at the dark man undressing next to the bed. He paused with his jumper half over his head, obscuring the look on his face, before removing it completely and tossing on the chair next to the wardrobe.

“How did you hear about that?” He asked flatly, unfastening his jeans and pushing then off his hips.

“Luna.” She shrugged. “Why? Was it meant to be a secret?”

He pulled back the covers and climbed into bed, staring silently up at the ceiling, his face unreadable.

“Severus?” She asked again when he didn't answer. “Why didn't you tell me? Is it another one of your deep dark secrets?”

“No.” He sighed heavily. “I was going to tell you, I just wanted to wait and see how things went first.”

And? How did they go?”

“Quite well actually. George is very interested in patenting and marketing my formula and we also discussed the possibility of me working in Research and Development as a consultant.”

“Can you do that without your magic and without your Potions license?”

“I won't be able to work on anything hands on, but the knowledge is still up here.” He tapped the side of his head with an index finger. “At the very least it will give me something to do with my time, now that the house is almost finished.” Rolling over onto his side, he placed his hand on top of her stomach and rubbed gently.

“Well that sound wonderful. I'm happy for you.” She said, her voice tapering off to a groan as his hand inched lower.

“But?” He moved his hand to lightly stroke the soft hair covering her mound.

“But....and I know you don't like to talk about this, so please don't get angry with me, but you have to do something about your treatment. I received quite a terse memo from the Ministry and they want to know what you are doing about continuing your counseling.”

“Hmmmmm.” He sighed heavily, his fingers moving even lower to slip through her wet folds, his index gently circling her swollen clit. “How about I make a deal with you?”

“Mmmmm.” She moaned, her back arching against his hand. “What deal?”

“We don't talk about it for the rest of the evening and I'll agree to make an appointment to meet with the Ministry next week.”

“Ahhhh, uhhhh.” She groaned as he slowly pressed his long index finger into her tight channel. “Why do I feel like you're just trying to distract and placate me?”

“Well I am trying to distract you.” He agreed, lowering his head and licking her nipple tenderly. “But I give you my word, I will make an appointment with the Ministry next week. I promise.”

“Mmmmm. Okay.” She moaned, wrapping her hand around his neck and pulling his lips down to hers. “I believe you. And I promise, no more talking. Oh Merlin.” She cried out as he positioned his body over hers and slowly eased himself inside of her. “Severus?”

“I thought we agreed no more talking?” He growled, thrusting in and out of her wet heat.

“We did. I just wanted to tell you how much I love you.”

“Well in that case. I love you too.” He whispered, pressing his lips to tenderly to hers. “Now be quiet and let me fuck you.”

“Gladly.” She cried out as he thrust harder and deeper inside her.