Puppy-Dog Tales

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Chapter 4 - Horrible Horrors and Sneaky Snape

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Thank you, all lovely reviewers. Big apologies. Had upper wisdom teeth removed. Was very sick after that. Am better now.

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Draco sighed as he stretched. He looked over into the mirror. Great, he was still a sheltie.

At least he had managed to get Potter away from her bed. He didn't like the idea of losing out to Potter.

Potter was a worthless pile of dog poo, he decided.

Hermione dressed with care today. She wanted to look nice for Harry.

Draco lay proudly in her bed watching her every move. He licked his lips from time to time looking as dignified as he could.

"I know you don't like him, but Harry is the only boy who likes me. So can you please be nice to him?"

She'd have the best of everything as his wife.

"Please Prince, be nice to Harry."

Draco yawned as he stood stretching in the center of Hermione's bed. The bed was his territory. No sharing.

Draco grumbled something and took the Hermione toy.

"Prince, you know you are number one in my heart, right?" Hermione said when she saw the busted Harry toy.

Draco barked happily.

"This is mean," Hermione said, but she repaired the toy and handed it back to him.

Draco snatched the toy and threw it against the wall happily.

He hated Potter, poopy Potter!

"Are you hungry, Sugar Angel?" Hermione asked. She petted Draco's head.

He licked her hand. Of course, he was hungry!

"We'll go and eat in the great hall, Sweetpea," Hermione said. "You can pick out whatever you want."

He got up from the bed and followed her prancing with his tail held high. He was there to protect her.

Hermione was skipping through the stairs, wanting to get to the hall quicker to see Harry.

He pranced at her side glaring at everyone who approached. Draco darted into the great hall ahead of her and grinned when he saw Potter wasn't there.

Draco took a seat besides her proudly.

Hermione smiled. "What would you like for Breakfast, my little baby?" Hermione asked, gesturing at the huge offering.

He pointed his paw towards the sausages, then to the eggs.

Hermione scooped a medium portion of eggs onto his plate and three sausages.

He leaned down and took a small bite from one sausage.

"Do you want some whole wheat toast?" Hermione asked gesturing to the toast.

He glanced longingly at the pitcher of ice water. He hadn't had a drink in ages.

Hermione quickly poured some water into the bowl that had appeared before her Prince.

Draco lapped up the water greedily. He needed it. He tried to drink it as cleanly as he could, but he still made a tiny mess. He gave her a big sad eyed look.

"You poor baby," Hermione said, holding his ears back so they wouldn't get wet. "Let Mistress wipe your mouth."

He let her do it, though it was absolutely embarrassing.

Pooty Potter chose this moment to enter the Great Hall and place his arse next to Hermione.

"Slobber factory," Harry said, turning Hermione's head and kissing her cheek.

Hermione grinned and hugged Harry not noticing the pitcher of pumpkin juice that exploded down the table near where Ginny was sitting.

“How are you today, Harry?” She asked, trying to smooth his messy hair.

Draco whimpered and moved so he stood over Hermione's lap.

Hermione was too busy with Harry to notice him.

Draco pouted and looked over at the Slytherin table and saw Goyle looking lost. It was worth it to have her attention. He slipped to the floor and padded over there quietly.

"Dog!" Goyle said stupidly as he aimed his wand at the dog. "Tarantalegra."

Draco began to yelp and squeal as his legs flew out of control.

Hermione heard the debacle and jumped up from the seat. Her dog was suffering badly.

“Who did this?” she glowered.

She waved her wand over Draco who instantly huddled behind her for safety. He looked up at her with big eyes and quivered.

All fingers from Gryffindor table pointed towards Goyle.

"Stupid dog!" Goyle said.

Draco looked up at Hermione. She would protect her puppy.

“The dog didn't do anything to you. He was probably after the food you dropped.” Hermione pointed to the sizeable pile of eggs and sausages at Goyle's feet.

Draco looked up at her offended for a moment at her thought that he would eat off the floor. But then again, he thought, most ordinary dogs did.

"Dogs is dumb," Goyle said with a wide grin.

“Fifty points from Slytherin and a month's detention with Hagrid. School policy states that familiars are not be attacked.”

Draco whapped his tail against her leg. It was worth the sacrifice to have her defending him and away from Potty-Breath.

“But yeah, I don't like dogs,” Goyle whined.

"Who cares?" Hermione said, with her hands jabbed on her hips before she scooped the puppy up. “It is still not a reason to attack an innocent pet. And you should work on your table manners.”

Draco licked her face happily and settled in her arms.

When she was about to return to her table, Hermione saw Ginny sitting in her place.

“No Ginny, I don't want to go out with you,” Harry told the redhead angrily.

"But Harry! We are meant to be!"

“We are not!” Harry say, trying to escape her kissing attempt.

"You asked me to have a threesome with you and my most hated enemy...and just to let you know...he doesn't like Weasleys."

Draco's ears perked up.

“But it would be hot to see you and Draco together...”

Draco retched in Hermione's arms. He vomited on the floor. The Weaselette was one digusting witch.

“Wouldn't you want to be given oral by a boy?” Ginny asked, trying to sound sultry.

"NO!" Harry said. "My best mate asked me the same, and I told him I am all straight."

“Everyone is a little bi. Would you like to have threesome with me and Pansy then? Every boy dreams of girl on girl!”

"I want a girl who is all mine!" Harry hissed as he stood and stalked away from her.

"I'll get you for this Harry Potter!"

Hermione smiled. Harry had resisted Ginny's offers. She sat down on her seat, holding Prince in her lap. Taking a tomato and cheese flatbread, she tore of small pieces and fed it to the dog.

Draco ate it happily and glared at the She-Weasel. He would not want to suck Poopy Potter! Draco turned and put his back to the Weaselette. Honestly, it was not a surprise that she wanted him. He was a GORGEOUS boy. But still, he would never want anything to do with her. Abominable redhead. And Potty McCrap Shorts...were Weasleys born stupid with no hope of rising to be halfwits?

“Miss Granger, may I see you in my office in fifteen minutes?” Professor Snape's low purr made her jump up, but his voice always made her feel tingly.

Draco jumped at Snape.

Snape looked down at the puppy wriggling in Hermione's lap and how a puppy paw rested on her arm possessively.

"Prince, mind your manners."

Draco shoved his nose against her bosoms before licking her face.

"It's alright, Miss Granger. It is natural for magical dogs to protect their witches in that manner. He didn't hurt me. He is just letting me know that you are under his guard."

“Thank you, Professor, for being so understanding. I shall be there on time, Sir.”

"That would be wise." Snape turned and billowed away.

Hermione's heart was beating fast. What did the professor want to talk about? Hopefully, it was not about her punishment of Goyle.

"Prince, you must be nice to the Professor. I am going to apply for an apprenticeship with him."

Draco's tail thwapped the bench.

Draco growled softly.

"Come on Sweetie, I must be on time." Hermione said, touching his ear.

He had a feeling that Snape was up to no good. He had seen the 'professor' try to look down her shirt. She was his WITCH. He had seen all of her.

Why were all men suddenly interested in her, Draco didn’t know why. She was usually ignored by them. He had always noticed her but hadn't felt that others were and couldn't utilize them to observe how best to approach her or to learn what things she liked.

She was usually alone, dragging a heavy book bag behind herself. Draco remembered when he tried to carry her bag for her and got hexed. He curled his nose at the memory of her callous meanness when he had been trying to help her.

He had wanted to get to know her. Pureblood status was not as important anymore. Society status was. Hermione's achievements in the war and relation to Potty meant she was the it-witch, and if she chose him his family would be respected. Not if, when. She would surely choose him. No one was more handsome or wealthy.

Potty was poopy. Snape was old and greasy. There was nothing appealing about the man. He was gorgeous and cute whether in animagus form or human. And he had more brains than Potty. Every girl would love to be the next Mrs. Malfoy, he was sure.

She would be clad in jewels all the time. Plus he had the greatest library in the Wizarding world. She would like that. And he was well endowed, he would smut her daily and impregnate her so she'd have his baby. He would make her ache for him and beg him for it. She would be in love with him.

The manor would be filled with happy laughter of their children. Smart gorgeous little ones. He would make sure of it. He had always wanted at least one sibling...a little sister to protect. Maybe they'd have two, or maybe more children. He sure had the money to raise a brood thrice the size of the Weasley's. He would love to have little girls to spoil. They would be pretty. Maybe their hair would be slightly more manageable than their mother's, but they'd be able to visit best hair stylists to look amazing. And would be good little Slytherins who would play their daddy for all his galleons.

He liked these thoughts so much that he hadn't realized thay had already reached the dungeons. Hermione reached out and knoocked at the office door.

“Enter!” she heard the Professor bellow.

Hermione entered slowly, wondering what the professor wanted from her.

"Back here in the lab."

Hermione had never been to the Professor's private lab, but she had wanted to see it.

“Sir?” Hermione called as she entered the lab's open door.

"Miss Granger, I am brewing Wolfsbane Potion," he said, and he pointed to the stool to the side of the table.

Draco crept under the table.

“I am experimenting with a modification for it, but I need another brewer for that.”

“Modifying how?" Hermione asked as she sat on the stool.

“Faster brewing time, better taste, and the possibility to supply it to many for a very low cost.”

“That's very impressive, Sir,” she said with awe.

"Yes, well there are many good workers who can't get jobs just because they are werewolves, which is silly. Many are willing and harmless as much as they can afford to be which is not as much as it should be."

“Miss Granger, if you could begin chopping these roots there on the right? At this stage the potion needs continual stirring, so I cannot do that myself.”

Draco looked back and forth between them.

So far Snape had behaved acceptable. Maybe the old git was not after his girl. He got up and walked over to Snape. He sniffed his pant leg before he saw the valve that controlled the heat of the flame.

“Also, if you want to take off your cloak...the lab does get rather hot during brewing.”

Just then Hermione noted that the professor had shed his overcoat and was leaning over the cauldron wearing just black slacks and a white button down shirt.

Draco looked up at Snape and puffed up indignantly. Draco flopped on his foot to chew on his shoe.

"Go under the table, Draco." He mouthed at the dog.

Shit! The old git had found him out! What was it that had given him away?

"You have quite a unique dog, Miss Granger. Did you buy him from the breeder?"

"No, I found him wandering the dungeons. Professor McGonagall posted a lost dog ad. She thought he came through the floo."

“Hmm, interesting. If he had come through the floo don't be too upset if he vanishes one day. Some magical creatures tend to do that. They take no thought to the witches they hurt.”

Hermione looked stricken for a moment, "Come Prince. Don't harass the Professor."

"Please call me Severus while we are alone." Severus said.

“If you so...wish...Severus. Do please call me Hermione, Sir.”

"Very well. There is something I wish to ask you after we are ready to leave the brew to simmer."

Draco pranced to Hermione and shoved his nose under her skirt. Snape would see that Draco saw all of Hermione!

“Anything, Sir,” Hermione said breathlessly.

Severus cast a hex at the dog, making the dog yelp and move away.

“This is just a light training spell. Dogs have to learn to behave properly.”

Draco glared at him.

"He wasn't hurting anything," Hermione said, as Draco cowered behind her legs glaring at Snape.

“He was sniffing you inappropriately. Dogs often get excited over their owner's scent...it can turn into a nasty habit later, as the dog will believe that you, excuse my language, are his bitch.”

Draco gave her proper big hurt puppy eyes.

"Princey!" Hermione said, looking down at him. "You are my puppy."

Draco promptly shoved his nose back under her skirt.

Snape hexed the dog again, with a mild stinging hex.

“Hermione, you are encouraging the dog in the wrong way. Not too long and he will be humping you.”

Draco sat down and glared at Snape.

"You have to be good, Prince. Lie down next to Mistress."

He would be humping her, when he would turn back into boy. He was sure the potions master's dick was a little shriveled sausage.

Draco lay down as Hermione had bid him, and he licked her leg.

The fumes from the cauldron had made her sweat quite a bit, and leaning over the bubbling heat had made her blouse almost see through.

Draco watched Snape as he put his wand down on the work table. He began to creep toward the greasy bat. He would get him. Hex him with his own wand.

But before he could get to the wand, he felt a hex sting him. He yelped and fell back.

"Professor!" Hermione cried scooping the puppy up.

Draco whimpered and glared at Snape.

"He was trying to steal my wand. He clearly would be in Slytherin if he were human."

"Prince, did you?"

Draco gave her sad eyes.

"Tell the truth."

Draco nodded reluctantly and licked her hand in apology.

“The dog needs to be disciplined, or else he might chew your wand.”

"He has never hurt anything of mine."

Draco rested his head on her chest and glared at Snape. He was cruel to the puppy.

“Hermione, if you could please stir the potion clockwise for a minute?”

"Yes, Sir--Severus." Hermione corrected, and she set the puppy down.

Draco glared at him and hid behind Hermione's legs.

Severus glared at Draco. He didn't know what they bo was up to, but it certainly was no good.

"No need to be a sour pup," he said to the puppy. "Your mistress is well appreciated by gentlemen. You will have to share. She is not one for pigs though."

Draco puffed up. He was a gentleman. He would show SNAPE!

Hermione smiled. It seemed that Severus knew how to train her errant puppy.

Draco put a paw on her leg.

"We are in Severus' domain, Precious. You will follow Severus' rules."

Draco wanted to puke. It was 'Severus' to her now. DISGUSTING!

"I can show you the dog training spell if you like. I have invented several other animal training devices as well, if you would like to look and see if you think they would serve the puppy well."

Draco looked up and made his SAD face at her. He did no wrong. He was cute. He was innocent. He was fuzzy. He was sweet. He played with his toys!

“Yes, I would appreciate that. Puppies need good training, or else he will believe he owns me.”

Draco whimpered sadly, and he licked her thigh. He had to get a ring on her finger soon. She would belong to him. He would enchant it so she couldn't take it off! He just had to be a boy again soon!

He would own her! She was to be his! He wondered if there was a way to seduce her fast when he'd return to his human form. Maybe a drink spiked with fertility potion, a night of passion and ta-da she would be sprogged up.

“The potion can now be left to simmer for 24 hours. Please follow me to my quarters, Hermione.”

Draco trotted after them whining. He jumped and raced to hide when a whoosh of air hit him in the face.

"Quiet," Snape said.

Draco glared at him and leapt up on the couch.

"Off," Snape said quietly.

Draco growled. Draco yelped as he was levitated off the couch and dropped to the floor. He quickly crept to Hermione and hid behind her legs. He peeked out from behind them and glared at Snape.

Damn his GODFATHER! Damn him to HELL! He was being nasty on purpose...and to his own godchild! What was wrong with the man?

“I do not like pets on my furniture,” Severus said apologetically.

"It is your furniture," Hermione said. "I don't mind. I understand. He is allowed on mine though. So I see why he is upset."

Draco growled at Snape. He then hid behind Hermione's legs and lay under her chair.

Hermione gaze at the books covering the walls of the study. Oh how she wanted to see what these were about.

"Hermione, if you need access to more books for ideas for your NEWTs, you are welcome to come here to look at any book in my collection. I just ask that you stay here, and you ask me first about the book, as some are...dangerous."

“Oh, I would be delighted to! I can't imagine what has given me this extraordinary honor!”

"Well, it has to do with what I wanted to talk to you about. I am thinking of taking an apprentice next year. I think you could become a truly great potions mistress. You have all the talent."

“Thank you, sir,” Hermione said and blushed.

"And I am sure you could find a number of interesting theories for your other tests by looking through here. I am a bibliophile. I have thousands at my home."

“Also, if you are chosen for the apprenticeship, you would be required to spend the summer at the Prince homestead. Would that be a problem?”

"No, however you would like. As long as Prince can stay as well," Hermione said, reaching down and petting the puppy's back.

"Of course, but he will have certain rooms and rules that he will be confined by."

"Puppies need boundaries," Hermione said, as Draco licked her ankle.

Draco was not happy about this. Snape was luring her into his snare. He was wicked. Playing with young girls. He was a PERVERT! Probably his homestead was a one bedroom shack.

“Hermione, would you care for some tea and scones?” Severus asked. “And come sit on the couch next to me. It is a better seat than the chair.”

Draco padded next to her as she took a seat next to his godfather on the couch. He put a paw on her leg.

Hermione did not pick the puppy up.

“There is also an article I'd like you to read.”

Severus summoned a journal and laid it out on his lap.

Draco tried to crawl into her lap. She needed defending.

Hermione pushed the doggie away and concentrated on reading the article Severus was pointing at.

She leaned her cheek on his shoulder a little.

Sometimes her hands brushed against Severus' as they flipped the pages. Draco whined as he saw Snape touch her hand. Sometimes she would have to touch Severus' hair as it brushed in front of her eyes. Draco whined louder.

She began to laugh as she reached the end.

"Is he serious?"

Snape laughed as well.

Hermione stared at him as he chuckled darkly. She had never seen him laugh, or even smile.

"The cauldron would explode," Hermione said. He would be tiny bits plastered to the ceiling. How did he even get published?"

“Drivel as this gets published all the time. Many potions masters are senile.”

"Explains why there are so few of them.

“Not everyone understands this fine art, Hermione. I see great potential in you.”

Draco pouted and whimpered before he fell on the floor on his side. He rolled around and took the hem of Severus' robes in his mouth and growled a little.

Severus ignored the dog staring into Hermione's eyes. She cocked her head and averted her eyes.

“Thank you, Severus. It means a lot to me.”

"You just need to learn to observe some things a little better. As sometimes you don't see the whole picture. I hope you don't think I am trying to be mean by saying that."

“No, you're not really mean. You are honest.”

Severus took her hand. “Unlike in other subjects, potions can make a difference. You could help people. If you are my apprentice you would not have to worry about room and board.”

"Nor would I take any residuals from your creations while under my tutelage."

Hermione gasped and threw herself into his arms. She kissed his cheek before she even thought. Then she backed up and was red as a poison apple.

Severus smiled. “Also, you'd escape the drudgery of Ministry work. No set working hours, but everything goes as you say.”

Hermione bit her lip again. She hugged him again. She was just so happy!

Draco rumbled a little, and put his paw on her leg. He could be her patron! She could do as she pleased. She would be his wife.

He wiggled and wiggled. Then he licked her ankle.

Hermione was rather flustered from Severus' presence. He was rather nice to talk to. And from close up, he didn't seem all that greasy. When she had hugged him she had felt his lean, well defined body.

He was not an old man by any stretch.

They then began an animated conversation about cauldrons.

Draco growled as he was ignored. He began to chew softly on the leg of the couch. Severus noted this movement, and suddenly the leg of the couch tasted like vomit to Draco.

The tea was delivered, a steaming tea pot and a large plate of cream scones.

Draco began to spit and hack. He glared at Snape. His godfather was full of SPITE.

Hermione took a scone and they talked for ages. It wasn't until Hermione heard the clock chime nine times that she realized how late it was.

She took one last scone and moaned at the delicious taste.

"Miss Granger, I will escort you back to your room as it is past curfew."

"Thank you, Professor," Hermione said, but at his glare, she corrected. "Severus."

'”You are very welcome, Hermione. Do let me know when you wish to explore my library. May I assume I can ask you to assist me in my potions work now and then?'

"I would be honored, Severus."

"Here is the collar I designed," Severus said, handing her the green leather.

“What is it for?” Hermione asked, curious.

"It protects against parasites and squirts water when the dog does something that you’ve expressly told him not to do."

Draco growled. He didn't like the idea.

“That sounds very useful. Come here, Prince. Let's try this collar for you.”

Draco glared at Severus as he slunk to Hermione crawling on his belly.

“What is it, Sweetie?” she asked the puppy.

He widened his eyes and lowered his ears as he put his head on her foot.

"Don't be led by the sad dog face. This is what he needs. I promise it. I had a dog as a boy and he was just as ornery as Prince."

Draco half moaned and half growled as he walked between his Mistress' legs and pouted up at her.

“But he looks so innocent!”

"He isn't. He knows better than to pull what he has been pulling. Now, we really must return you to your rooms lest people think I am a pervert."

Hermione flushed and looked away as she put the training collar on Draco.

Draco tried to wiggle out of it. To no avail. He whined and looked at her sadly.

“Severus, you are not a pervert. You are a noble man.”

"But it won't look that way if I have a lady so late in my quarters."

“Who cares? I don't have curfew. I am head girl and of age.”

"I care," Severus said, taking her hand and placing it on his arm. "You are under my care. I have a duty to you."

Hermione looked up at Severus. He was such a noble man. And actually quite handsome too.

He escorted her up to the seventh floor landing, and stopped when he reached the portrait of the fat lady.

“Good night, Hermione. If you want to discuss potions or have a generally stimulating talk, floo or owl me.”

"Thank you, Professor."

Severus bowed as he took her hand and kissed it.

Hermione blushed. He had such good manners.

“Good night, Severus,” she whispered.

Severus smirked at her and watched as she entered the Gryffindor common room.

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Well, here is Chapter 4. I am sure I will be ready to update the other story soon. Please leave a review.

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