A Working Relationship

A Working Relationship


Disclaimer: All canon characters are the property of JK Rowling and those with whom she has agreed contracts. This story was written for practice not profit.


The Revised Arrangement

“Help yourself to some food while it’s still hot,” said Severus.

“Thank-you,” she said, taking a slice of toast and beginning to butter it. Anything was better than having to look him in the eye at the moment.

“You need more than that,” he said sharply.

“I always start with the toast. I’ll have something else afterwards. Anyway, I don’t think we’ve been allowed a day off to talk about my eating habits,” she replied equally sharply.

She half expected him to explode at that but he bit his tongue and said,

“You’re correct. Our business is important. The Headmaster and I had a long talk while you were asleep last night and he has made some suggestions that he would like me to discuss with you. Before we get on to that… I feel I need to make some kind of apology for my behaviour last night. It is always wrong to touch a woman against her will, whatever the reason.”

“You don’t have to apologise for that. I was shocked at the time but I can see you were trying to explain my being here and get me away from Mr Malfoy. Even with hindsight I can’t really think of another way you could have managed it so effectively.”

“Thank-you. I hope that the incident will not affect your willingness to work alongside me.”

“No. It won’t. I’m an adult now. I’m not going to be childish about it. What you’re doing is important and I’m glad to be able to help you out. I only wish I could do more.”

“The Headmaster is hopeful that you will do much more,” said Severus smoothly.

“What does he want me to do?” she asked.


“The Headmaster wishes you to cease studying at Hogwarts in order for you to work with me full time. You would, of course, be given every assistance in the future… should there be a future.”

Hermione’s face fell at this. Severus stopped talking and watched her carefully. The silence lasted for some time.

“I don’t see…” she began. “I don’t see how I could explain that to everyone.”

“It would be a great sacrifice on your part Miss Granger. Don’t think I am so inhuman that I don’t realise that. Academic success is something you value highly.”

“Yes… but it would be very selfish of me to value my academic success over playing a role in fighting Lord Voldemort. Don’t you think?” she said, regarding him candidly.

“You are asking a Slytherin for moral guidance Miss Granger. That is not a wise course of action for a Gryffindor.”

“Perhaps I should be asking you how to get away with doing something so out of character, without having to explain myself. Isn’t that more in the Slytherin line?”

“Have you considered what will happen when Lucius tells Draco how he found us last night?”

“Shit!”

“I’ll take that as a no, shall I?”

Tears sprang to Hermione’s eyes and she pressed the heel of her hand into mouth as though to muffle any sounds she might make. Severus regretted his rather glib retort and felt the urge to make amends.

“Express the emotion Miss Granger. It’s your nature. It will not affect my regard for you. Would you like a moment alone?”

“No,” she said, swallowing hard. “Crying won’t solve this mess. What should I do?”

“The Headmaster suggests that we pre-empt Draco by announcing our engagement at dinner this evening.”

“What!!! Wait! This is getting way out of hand!” she exclaimed.

“The Headmaster feels that it would resolve the difficulty if we brought a semblance of respectability to our association. As far as most of the staff and students are concerned we would give the appearance of having become lovers. You would give up your student status and be officially employed as my Apprentice. We would utilise some unused space down here to make you some rooms near mine. You would work openly with me doing the same things as you do now. Outside that time you would take over one of the projects I should be working on but haven’t the time for.”

“What’s the project?”

“You remember that I was injured yesterday when I was summoned?”

“Of course.”

“I was injured because the Dark Lord has given me a commission. Obviously I cannot work on it seriously because I am spending all my time on the other matter. I have been injured regularly over the last month or so and I am severely testing my Lord’s patience with my lack of progress. If he kills me, my work will remain incomplete and the Order will not be able to infiltrate the Inner Circle again. In short Miss Granger, the plan is that you should take over this commission, so I can show convincing evidence of progress towards his goal.”

“I didn’t realise you’d been seeing Lord Voldemort.”

“He usually summons me after midnight because he realises that I have to sneak out.”

“What is the nature of the commission?”

“It would not be prudent for me to reveal that until you have reached a decision.”

“Ho ear earth would you explain our engagement to the other Death-Eaters?”

“The official line for them would be that the Headmaster had discovered that I had seduced you and forced me to make you an offer or leave my employment. The Dark Lord demands that I continue to work here. You, being a silly, greedy little mudblood, would see marriage to me as an opportunity for social advancement.”

“I see. How long do I have to make my mind up?”

“As long as you need really, but I wouldn’t imagine that life will be very pleasant for you among the student body once Draco begins to taunt you in public.”

“There isn’t much of a decision to make is there? I mean… I can’t not do it can I?”

“It would seem not. I think the die is well and truly cast.”

“Will I be allowed to tell anybody the truth?”

“I assume that ‘by anybody’ you mean Potter and Weasley?”

“Yes.”

“I think you may go as far as to tell them that the engagement is merely a cover so we can devote more of our time and energy to researching for the Order without raising question. However the nature of the work will be between you, myself and the Headmaster.”

“In that case I’ll do it.”

“Good. I suggest we floo the Headmaster to inform him of your decision and we’ll make arrangements to meet with Potter and Weasley before the announcement is made this evening.”

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Later that afternoon Severus and Hermione went to the Room of Requirement to wait for Ron and Harry. Hermione had been a little nervous about going in there with Severus for company as she was dubious about what the room would think she required. She was very relieved to see a comfortable sitting room with two sofas facing each other over a coffee table.

“I’ve never been in here before,” said Severus.

“It’s very useful when you need to do something in private,” said Hermione. “There’s not much privacy in a Gryffindor dorm.”

“I suppose not. What’s that on the table?”

“I’m not sure,” said Hermione, reaching for it.

“Don’t touch it! It might be dangerous! Let me see.”

He took out his wand and passed it over the small box. When it failed to react in any way he picked it up and opened it. A quizzical look appeared on his face as he gazed at the contents.

“What’s wrong?” asked Hermione.

“Nothing! This is one of my family rings. I think it was worn last by my father’s mother. I imagine the room feels it is required. Take it.”

He held out the box to her. She took it, brushing her fingers against his as she did so, and looked inside. The box contained a large, ugly, heavy, emerald and diamond ring of questionable taste.

“You may as well put it on!”

Hermione hesitated. “It seems a bit… personal sir. Are you sure you trust me with it?”

“I have no attachment to the article at all. As far as I knew it was gathering dust in a vault. Besides which… if the Headmaster and I did not feel you were trustworthy we would not be here now. Borrow the ring. You can wear it at mealtimes. I wouldn’t expect you to want to wear it all the time. Considering what it’s made of, it’s hideous.”

“It’s a little large.”

“It’s an ostentatious display of wealth. My family has passed these things down for generations. My mother wore one as well. I know for a fact that one’s at Gringotts. The room probably couldn’t find it so it made do. Are those boys late for everyth… I suppose that’s them now.”

After some rattling with the door Ron and Harry burst through it. They were brought up short by the sight of Hermione seated on the sofa with Snape standing alongside.

“What’s up ‘Mione,” said Ron breathlessly.

“I suggest you two take a seat,” said Snape coldly. “Miss Granger feels the need to impart some information of an urgent nature.”

He walked around the sofa and sat himself down next to Hermione, with a flourish. Ron and Harry took the two seats facing.

“Why did we have to have a meeting like this?” said Harry. “Where have you been all day?”

“Let the woman talk, Potter!” interjected Snape.

“I’ve haven’t been entirely honest with the two of you these past few weeks. I don’t quite know…..”

“Allow me,” said Snape impatiently. “This past month Miss Granger has not been open with you about her whereabouts. Whatever she has told you, the truth of the matter is that she has been secretly working as my Apprentice.”

“Is that true Hermione?” asked Ron.

She nodded. “I thought if I told you I was working for Professor Snape you’d try to stop me, so I lied.”

“Why are you telling us the truth now?”

“Lucius Malfoy managed to break into the floo in the dungeons last night and he… somehow got the idea Professor Snape was trying to seduce me. Obviously we couldn’t explain why I was really there… so we let him think it was the truth.”

“So that explains why Malfoy’s been sniggering all day.”

“Probably. It’s going to be impossible for me to go back to class after all this so Professor Dumbledore has asked me to work with Professor Snape all the time… He’s going to announce our engagement at dinner tonight.”

“Engagement!!! For God’s sake Hermione you can’t marry the bastard!” exploded Ron.

Instantly Snape was out of his seat and poking Ron’s throat with the end of the wand.

“Don’t push me Weasley,” he snarled. “Miss Granger and I have no intention of marrying. This is merely a pretence to allow Hermione to give up classes and at the same time allow me to keep my position here when I stand accused of seducing her. That said, she is now my Apprentice and my most valued colleague. I will protect her and support her as I deem it necessary. Is that clear?”

“I suppose…” muttered Ron.

“The engagement will be announced at dinner tonight. The two of you will appear pleased at the news, as though you knew it was likely all along. Is that clear?”

“Yes sir,” said Harry.

“Then I will be on my way. Come down to my quarters before dinner Hermione. We will make our entrance together.”

“Yes sir.”

Snape straightened up and stuck his wand back into his sleeve before walking out of the door, slamming it behind him.

The two boys sat there looking stunned.

A/N

After reading my reviews I decided to post the chapter today. I do not expect every reader to review every chapter, although those that do are valued. However, I am a writer who does not post WIPs. I revise before posting but my story is complete in draft form so I can be sure of giving regular updates. I am not going to go to all that effort to deliver a high standard of service if I don't get a reasonable level of feedback. If I offered you a cookie, you'd say thank you if you took it and the same principle applies here.