The Rules of Engagement

The Rules of Engagement

Chapter 5 – Sneaky Snape


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Severus pulled his cloak about him tighter and peered up at the Headmaster’s window. He sighed deeply. Now he was reduced to following students around, lurking in dark corners, as not to be seen. Well, really nothing he hadn’t done a hundred times over, was it?

A bright red light caught his eye from the Headmaster’s window. Severus immediately disapparated to Diagon Alley. He appeared at the far end of the Alley, near the Leaky Cauldron entrance onto the street. Looking around to see if he had been observed, he slipped into a darkened corner and put his wand to the top of his head. The cold chill of the Disillusionment Charm ran down his body, bringing the usual shiver up his spine. As he put his wand away, Severus saw the young couple he was to protect, walking up the street. He followed them, about ten paces behind, so he could take in the surroundings and any possible threats. Lucius was not the only Death Eater who was free. That was why Severus and Draco could not yet afford to give themselves away. Though if someone attacked tonight and Severus could not head them off, he and Draco might both be exposed.

Severus slowed his long strides, when Madam Malkin’s shop came into view. Draco had told him this would be the first stop of the night. Severus wasn’t sure he approved of Draco’s plans for the evening, but he could certainly understand the irony the boy must feel at spending Lucius’ money on a muggle born.

The couple went into the shop. Severus stationed himself outside in a place where he could look in the window, keeping them in view at all times and where no one on the street would run into him, since they could not see him. The boy pulled out some frilly looking robes for the girl to try on. Could anything be more tiresome, than watching someone else shop? At the moment, Severus didn’t think so.

The girl came out of the changing room wearing a flouncey emerald green robe. By her face, Severus could tell it was not her style. The next robe was a deep purple that had an overt matronly flair. She and her companion appeared to hate it. Severus scanned the street again, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. When he turned around to check on the young couple, his jaw dropped at the vision in front of him. Hermione wore a wine colored dress that hung softly from her now visible curves. The richness of the color brought out the blush in her cheeks and accentuated the shade of her hair. As he watched, Draco took her hand and kissed it, most likely complimenting her, as the boy appeared to think her lovely.

Severus barely registered the fact that Draco had left the shop, as his full attention had been on Hermione. Realizing he would be useless out here if Lucius attacked her, Severus followed the next patron into the warm shop. Checking to make sure his charm was still in place, he moved closer. He was close enough now to hear Hermione chatting politely with the shop girl, but his eyes were busy watching the vision in front of him. When had she become such a woman? That was not the décolletage of a girl, but the ample rounded breasts of a woman. As he watched the seamstress fit the garment, Severus became more entranced as the dress was now fitted snugly against her body. Objectively, he had to admit Hermione was a lovely woman. Would it be so bad to be married to her? Would it be so bad to lie with her as her husband? Severus’ groin twitched at the thought.

It was the reappearance of young Malfoy that finally brought his thoughts back to the present. They spoke quietly and Hermione sat in a chair in front of the mirror. The boy put combs in her hair, drawing it off her face, her soft brown eyes now sparkled. Then the boy handed her a box. Severus felt his eyebrow go up. So typically Malfoy to buy a flashy bauble, but Hermione was genuinely pleased and Severus had to admit the jewels did complete the look. She would overshadow any pureblood wife.

As the couple made their way to the restaurant, Severus followed fairly close behind knowing he would have to be close enough to them to enter the restaurant.

“How can Snape watch us in the restaurant?” Hermione asked.

“That will be his problem,” Draco said, with a grin.

As if I had not already thought of this, Severus thought. Once inside the establishment, Severus made his way to the second level that looked down over the first. Before removing the Disillusionment charm, he made a quick tour of the patrons on the second level and found his prey, or vulture, as the case may be. Lucius was perched at a small table on the rail with a perfect view of the young couple.

With the charm still on him, Severus pulled out the chair opposite Malfoy and sat down. Lucius eyed the empty space where his mysterious companion was for a moment, then sneered.

“Really, Severus. As if I did not know it was you. You are the only one to demonstrate such subtlety,” Lucius said. Severus removed the charm from himself and looked evenly back at the blonde. “That’s better. Drink?”

Severus silently nodded. Lucius summoned his waiter and ordered a firewhiskey for each of them, that arrived very quickly.

“I suppose, I should thank you,” Lucius started, “for chaperoning my son and his future bride.” Blue-grey eyes gazed down at the couple again. “No need. Draco knows precisely what to do. The little mudblood will be eating out of his hands before the evening has ended.”

“That sure of him, are you?” Severus said, speaking for the first time. Lucius raised both eyebrows and looked amused.

“Well, he is my son, is he not?” Lucius raised his glass to his lips and Severus thanked the gods the boy was nothing like his father.

“I would not have thought you in favor of the Confarreatonis Adnexus,” Severus said, taking a drink from his own glass, letting the liquid warm him. A sinister smile played at the corners of the blonde’s lips.

“Generally, I wouldn’t be, but in this case, I will make an exception. Death would be too easy a punishment for a friend of Potter’s. This will be much better,” Lucius said, with a leering smile.

Severus had to set down his glass before it broke in his hand. Malfoy was the vilest of creatures and to envision him touching . . . her, it was unthinkable.

“How so?” Severus asked, managing to keep his voice even.

“Once she is a Malfoy, I can do whatever I like with her and the Ministry can say nothing of it. Then when I tire of my games with her, I shall breed her to ensure an heir.”

“And would not your son have something to say to that?”

“Do you think I do not know my own son? He will do as I say and I will allow him his boys to play with on the side,” Lucius said. Severus’ brow knit for a moment.

“You mean you didn’t know? The Head of Slytherin house didn’t know Draco prefers boys?” Lucius sneered. In truth, Severus had suspected, but was never sure of Draco’s inclinations. But that mattered little, he was still grinding his teeth over listening to Malfoy talk of Hermione as if she were a prize bitch.

“Then I see you have not heard,” Severus said, in a deceptively light manner. Lucius looked at him questioningly. “Miss Granger received three petitions.”

“No matter, the others will be easily dealt with.” Lucius dismissed the issue.

“You think so? Rosemond Green is one of them.” Lucius looked at him seriously.

“That could be a bit of a slippery snitch, now couldn’t it? Still, I believe I’m up to the challenge. And who is the third?” Lucius asked conversationally. Severus paused, then raised an eyebrow.

“Me.” The expression on Malfoy’s face was priceless, something Severus would cherish for the rest of his life. The blonde started to spit and sputter.

“You! But . . . but. . . You’ve decided to marry? Why did you choose her?” The redness in his face was giving away the rage going on inside of Lucius, as he saw his carefully laid plans falling apart at his feet.

“Because she is the best in both intelligence and power. And I like the best, Lucius. In everything.” Severus said coolly, leveling his gaze at the older man.

“She’s one of your students!” Lucius said, through clenched teeth.

“Hmmm, quite convenient, that.”

“What did that old Muggle lover Dumbledore have to say?” Severus let a smile play at the corner of his mouth. Lucius was reaching now.

“Quite happy, really. Said, it was about time I settled down and started a family.” Severus was enjoying this far too much. He finished his drink and gave Malfoy a challenging look. “So, do you think me as easily dispatched as Green?” Lucius glared back at him, but was silent.

“The girl will be mine Lucius, make no mistake,” Severus said, sitting forward and staring into the blonde’s eyes. “Do not challenge me in this,” the dark man warned.

“We will see about that.” Lucius spat out angrily, then stood up violently, nearly throwing his chair over and stalked away in a swirl of black robes. Severus sat back and ordered another drink, as he watched the young couple below. At the moment he said it to Lucius, he had almost believed that the girl would be his. He watched her laugh gently at something her companion had said. Severus sighed and closed his eyes. Even if he married her, the girl would never be his and he knew it. She was too good for him, muggle born or no. What would it be like to have such a woman want him? To have her look forward to his company? Severus stared into his now empty second glass, must be the whiskey talking, he mused.

Severus stood outside the restaurant with his hood up against the cold. He had satisfied himself that Lucius was no longer around and had chosen to wait outside, when the couple was nearly finished. Hermione appeared first, quickly followed by her escort, who steered her, not towards the Leaky Cauldron, but farther down the street. ‘Where the bloody devil are they going?’, Severus thought to himself. He followed them and saw Draco guide Hermione into a dim alley. The boy leaned in and began slobbering on her neck, then kissed her. ‘Why that cheeky little bugger!’, Severus thought and had to stop himself from going over and pulling the boy off of her. This did not look like the actions of a gay individual. If he wasn’t mistaken, the boy was fondling her bosom under her cloak. While still watching them, Severus tried to think clearly. Lucius. Draco thinks Lucius is still watching them, this is for show. Just as he realized this, Hermione pushed the boy off of her and walked out onto the street.

The dark man followed the young couple to the Leaky Cauldron. Not wishing to be noticed, he apparated back to the gates of Hogwarts, since he knew the pair would be flooing back. Severus removed his hood from his head roughly, as soon as he had marched back onto school grounds. His body was tense and he felt like hexing someone, or punching them. Yes, that would be much more satisfying. Breathing heavily, he made his way to the secret entrance to the dungeons. It wasn’t until he had his hand on the door, that he remembered the last time he had used this door. It was the last revel he’d attended and coming back, he’d felt much the same as he did now. He released the handle and put his back to the door, leaning his head back and let out a calming breath.

Why had the sight of young Malfoy and the girl bothered him so? He was beginning to feel dangerously protective of the girl. Lucius had brought that out in him. What if there were a repeat performance tomorrow evening, only this time Green would not be pretending? He had to make her see reason. Hermione may not like him, and Severus knew she didn’t, but he was her only chance. She had to choose him.

Calmer now, Severus went into the castle and straight to the Headmaster’s office to report in. Dumbledore listened to him, but looked at him strangely. It made him increasingly uncomfortable, so he took his leave, as soon as he could. Once reaching the entry hall, Severus paused in his strides. His feet seemed to want to take him in the direction of Gryffindor tower. Maybe he should just check to make sure she made it back to her rooms. That decision arrived at, he climbed the stairs quickly and soon found himself in front of the Head Girl’s door. Rapping on the door, he noticed his heart was racing suddenly and it did not appear to be from the climb.

The door opened. Hermione stared at him, as if pixies were dancing about his head.

“Professor Snape?” she said. Severus stared at the vision of womanly perfection in front of him. Finally moving aside, she invited him in. “Please, come in.”

“Thank you, Miss Granger,” the dark man said. Walking into the room, Severus looked around and his eyes landed on the blonde standing by the couch. His eyes never leaving the youth, he spoke again. “I wanted to make sure you made it back to your rooms alright.” His gaze then turned to Hermione again.

“Yes, Professor. Draco walked me back here a little while ago.” It was then, he noticed her lips looked recently kissed, as in only moments before. Severus turned an accusing glare on the boy, who smirked at him. That blasted little bugger!

“And I should really be going. Good night, Luv,” Draco said, kissing her cheek. The boy took his cloak and left quickly.

Hermione suddenly looked nervous, though it was hard to tell, since his stomach was spinning like a Seeker. Severus swallowed with difficulty, his eyes wandering over her again. His gaze lingered on the generous portion of cleavage left exposed by the dress.

“I understand you where watching over us tonight?” she said, tentatively. Severus nodded his head, not trusting his voice. His eyes traveled back to hers and he took a deep breath.

“I was merely concerned for your safety. I will say good night,” Severus said. Suddenly, he wanted to touch her. To somehow let her know, he really wasn’t the evil man she must think him to be. Reaching out tentatively, he scooped her hand in his, then bent over and kissed her soft skin gently. A spark of magic went straight from his lips to his groin. Standing up again, he met her eyes briefly, nodded politely and escaped the room and her company as quickly as possible.

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Hermione walked into breakfast Saturday morning with a smile on her face. Last night with Draco had been a lot of fun. To finally get to go out in public together had been wonderful.

“Morning, Ginny,” she said, sitting across from the youngest Weasley. The girl looked tired, but gave her smile.

“Morning, Hermione. How did last night go?” Ginny asked.

“Wonderful. We never even saw you-know-who,” Hermione said, putting some eggs on her plate.

“Where were you?” A rather irate male voice asked next to Hermione. Ron plopped down next to her, glaring across the table at his sister.

“What business is it of yours?” Ginny snapped with that annoyed air only a sibling can bring off.

“I had Missy Evans search the dorm for you last night and she couldn’t find you anywhere. Now answer me!” Ron nearly shouted. Brown eyes glared daggers at him from across the table. Ginny got up, threw her napkin on the table and left the hall. Ron might have shouted after her, if Hermione had not put a calming hand on his arm. He looked at her and let out his breath.

“Give her some time to calm down,” Hermione reasoned, though thinking Ron could use the time more than Ginny.

“Thanks,” he said begrudgingly. He set about filling his plate with food, while Hermione poured him some juice.

“I saw her coming in late the other night with Neville,” Hermione offered.

“Neville? Well, she couldn’t have been with him. He was moping around the common room last night. Speaking of last night, how did your big date go?” She watched as he shoveled food haphazardly into his mouth.

“I had a really good time and got some disgustingly expensive presents,” she said, going back to her own breakfast.

“Shame you two can’t get married, you seem to get on so well.”

“You know that wouldn’t work.”

“Yeah, I know he’s . . .” Ron said, pointing his pinky out and waving it in a disgustingly foppish manner. Hermione couldn’t help but laugh.

“Where’s Harry?” she asked looking around.

“Don’t know. Must have gone out early this morning. He’s worried about you, I think,” Ron said looking at her seriously. Hermione sighed. Harry was always worrying, even though the Dark Lord gone.

“I’ll be fine. I’ll talk to him. As soon as I’ve decided on a fiancé.”

“You’re going out with Rose tonight, right?” Ron asked. Hermione nodded her head. “Be careful.”

“What? Of Rose?” she said incredulously. Ron smirked.

“Well not just of him. I don’t want Malfoy Senior getting a chance at you. Having Draco with you is one thing, but Rose doesn’t know about the threat to you.”

“And he won’t. You promise me, Ronald Weasley, you will not say anything to him,” Hermione said, grabbing his arm. Ron frowned.

“Alright. Just be on your guard.”

“I will,” she said, leaning over to kiss his cheek. Then she got up and went back to her room to get in some studying before getting ready later.

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