Daddy Dearest - (No Update, Edit)

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 52 ~ Severus Pays Hermoine a Visit

Hermione was in her basement lab testing a newly developed spell that converted fire into water. It would be a great help to the Magical Fire Department. The firewizards had been using water from their wands to put out fires up to this point and this particular spell had been worked on for years without success. Finally a young Spells Master, Ichabod Creely figured out how to do the transmutation.

Ichabod had a background in muggle Physical Science and initially approached the problem from a scientific standpoint rather than a magical one, focusing on the components of water, oxygen and hydrogen…two highly flammable substances when separated. After trial and error, he found a magical way to reverse the burning process and bring together hydrogen and oxygen atoms to form water. It was quite an accomplishment.

Hermione used a steel drum to contain the fire, then applied Ichabod's spell to quench the flames, turning them to water. She was checking for feasibility and ease of use. If the spell were too complicated for the average wizard, it would be useless. In that case Hermione would have to try and further adapt the spell, though the credit would still go to Ichabod.

Fortunately, the young wizard had taken ease of use into consideration and there were only four wand motions, and a simple incantation necessary to get the desired result. The spell was airtight, and the witch was quite pleased to be able to sign off on such a useful incantation. She put her wand in her pocket and walked over to her desk to fill out the final parchments when she heard a knock on the door. She had set up a spell to amplify the front door since she could not normally hear it from her basement lab. When the knock sounded, Hermione looked up the stairs in exasperation.

"Who can that be?" she griped as she walked up the stairs to answer the door. Imagine her surprise when she saw Severus standing on the doorstep, bag in hand. She frowned at him.

"Severus! What are you doing here? I told you I had work to do," she scolded.

The Potions Master let his eyes drift over her.

"I am here because I have potions which I want to stock your medicinal stores with, if you don't mind. This is purely a platonic visit. But I can go if that's what you want," Severus said, starting to turn.

Hermione felt a bit bad that she assumed Severus had ulterior motives. Which he did, of course.

"No…wait," she said.

Severus halted.

"Please come in, Severus," she said, looking apologetic.

Severus stared at Hermione a moment, then swept by her, entering the house. He walked into the living room, put his bag down and waited for her to follow. When the witch entered the living room, Severus looked her over. Hermione was dressed in jeans, a white t-shirt and a white lab coat covered in soot, her hair pulled back in a ponytail. She smelled strongly of smoke.

"Been barbecuing?" Severus asked her, his nose wrinkling up, "or perhaps smoking meats?"

Hermione frowned at him, placing her hands on her hips.

"No, I've been testing a transmutation spell that converts fire to water," she replied.

Both of Severus' eyebrows went up.

"The Ministry has been working on that spell unsuccessfully for years. They've finally cracked it?" he asked with interest.

"Yes, a young Spells Master approached it using a combination of muggle science and magic. He nailed it," Hermione replied smiling. "His name is Ichabod Creely and he's only twenty-five years old. He's a very talented pureblood. I think he's going to go far."

Severus nodded.

"May I see the spell in action?" he asked her.

"Well, I was just about to sign off on it, but if you are really interested Severus, I can show it to you," she replied walking toward the basement door.

The Potions Master followed her down the basement. He really was interested and that would be a handy spell to know. Being Hermione's lover obviously had other perks besides access to her body. If he played his cards right, he could get new spells before the general public.

They entered the basement lab. Basically it was just a huge white space, encircled by shelving, with a desk in the corner and a long table opposite it. A large chalkboard hung on the far wall. There were a number of arrow symbols written on it, presumably wand motions and a few other squiggly lines, possibly representing the flow of magic. Since Hermione worked on spells she needed space rather than equipment.

In the center of the room was a steel drum filled with water. Hermione walked up to it and cleared it out, filling it with flammable material. She stepped back a bit then cast an incendiary spell and fire and smoke blazed out of the drum.

Severus watched her carefully as she cast the new spell. Suddenly, the fire seemed to slow, then burn in reverse, smoke and flames turning in on itself. Suddenly the whole conflagration turned into liquid and dropped into the steel drum, filling it to the brim. However the burnt material still floated in the water…so it did not restore the burnt matter, only stopped the burning. Still, quite a wonderful spell.

"It seems young Mr. Creely is going to be receiving some very good residuals," Severus said, walking up to the drum and examining the contents.

"Yes, he will. Not that he needs it. His parents are quite wealthy," Hermione said.

"Still, it is rewarding to earn your own way," the Professor replied, "Will you show me how to do the spell?"

Hermione hesitated a moment, then nodded. Severus frowned a bit at the hesitation.

"If you don't want to show me, Hermione…just say so," he snarked at her.

Hermione scowled at him.

"For your information, Mr. Paranoid, I was simply going over the proper wand movements in my head," she said evenly. "If I didn't want to show you the spell, I would have no problem at all telling you so."

Severus narrowed his eyes at Hermione, thinking a good, hard fuck up against the wall of her lab would take a little of the bass out of her voice. Hermione shuddered a little at the way he looked at her.

"Take out your wand," she said, attempting to break the tension.

Severus was not a wizard who liked to be ordered about, but he drew his wand out, his black eyes glittering at the witch. He'd remember her obstinacy. Oh yes he would.

Hermione told him what the intent of the spell was, the incantation, then showed him the proper wand motions. Severus caught on quite quickly. Then she reset the drum and started a fire. She was interested to see just how adept the Potions Master was at spellcasting. Most had to do it several times before they got it right.

Severus focused on the flames for a moment, then made the proper wand passes and said the incantation. The fire fell with a splash into the drum. Hermione's mouth dropped open. Even she had failed to cast the spell properly the first four times she tried.

Severus smirked at her.

"I had a choice between two magical fields of study I could have pursued, Hermione. Potions and Spells Making. I chose Potions instead of silly wand waving," he purred.

Hermione managed to close her mouth.

"But with that kind skill, Severus, you could have been an outstanding Spells Master," Hermione replied.

"Yes, and all my skill would have been utilized by the Dark Lord," he replied darkly. "I can only imagine the horrors he would have made me create. At least with Potions I can only affect a small amount of individuals. If I had been a Spells Master in the service of Voldemort, thousands would have died because of my spellwork…"

Suddenly the Potions Master's eyes took on a pained look.

"It is because of me thousands have died and are still dying. It is my elixir that keeps the Dark Lord alive and powerful. It is my work that enables him to continue his evil," the wizard said.

Hermione walked up to him.

"Severus, you created that elixir when you were still under his influence, before you realized what he was…before you joined the Order," Hermione said, hoping to comfort the wizard. "Now you do your best against him…"

Severus looked at her, his eyes hard.

"I've accomplished nothing," he spat. "I've changed nothing. He is more powerful now than ever before. He is taking over the wizarding world right under the Order's nose, Hermione. My spying means next to nothing now."

"Severus, your information saved thousands of lives over the years. Don't say you haven't accomplished anything, because you have. You have suffered greatly to do what you could to quell Voldemort's wickedness for over thirty years. It has been your life's work. Don't make your sacrifices into something worthless. It isn't true," she said looking up at the wizard. "You've made a difference, Severus."

Severus looked down at her.

"You really believe that?" he asked her a bit hoarsely.

"Yes, I do," she said softly, "Despite what anyone believes about you Severus, no matter how dark and treacherous you are perceived as being, you would give up your own life to destroy Voldemort. I know that."

Severus looked at her.

"Do you believe the reason I would kill him is because I am noble, Hermione?" he asked her, his eyes glittering.

Hermione couldn't answer that question.

"I don't know," she replied.

Severus smirked a little.

"I am glad to see that you have no such romantic notions about my motives. Voldemort deserves to die for all the death and destruction he has caused, and continues to cause. Yet if I were to kill him, it would not be in judgment for this. It would simply be because I hate him. I hate him with every fiber of my being. I am enslaved to him, and live as a discontent slave who longs for freedom. Because of Voldemort my life has been one of constant pain and torture. There are mental tortures as well as physical, Hermione. I am tormented more than you or anyone knows. Because of the Dark Lord I serve two masters, though one is decidedly more benign," the wizard said.

"Albus," Hermione breathed.

"Yes. Albus is just as demanding as Voldemort in his way…but if I had my choice of masters, he would be the better choice. Yet, killing Voldemort would free me from him as well. Even servitude for goodness is still servitude. I long for freedom, witch," he said, moving closer to Hermione. He brought one pale hand to her cheek, caressing it softly.

"For now, Hermione…you are the only one who gives me freedom when you let me take you," Severus breathed his dark eyes meeting hers.

Hermione felt herself sway towards the wizard. Severus smirked and stepped away from her.

"But today, you have work to do. I will remain incarcerated until you have time to let me 'turn the key' as it were," he purred. "Right now I am going to go stock your medicinal potions cabinet. I want to be sure you have…everything you need."

Hermione gave the wizard a smirk now.

"You mean everything I need after a round or two with you," she said.

"Precisely," he replied, arching an eyebrow at her, "and after that I will depart."

Severus began walking up the stairs. Hermione walked to the base of the steps and looked at his retreating back. She realized she didn't want the wizard to go now that he was here. He had shared a part of himself with her, a part of his true feelings and motivations. He was trying to let her understand him. Attempting to open up. Hermione didn't believe the wizard did that often with anyone. The fact that he had just did it with her, moved Hermione very much.

"Severus, you were right," she called after him. He stopped midway on the steps, turned and looked down at the witch.

"Right about what?" he inquired.

Hermione flushed a little.

"That I can't work in bed," she said softly.

This time both of the wizard's eyebrows rose. Was this an invitation to spend the night with the witch? The slight heat in Hermione's eyes confirmed it was. Still, it was his turn to play hard to get. He turned and continued up the stairs.

Hermione hesitated, then said "Stay Severus. There are books, magazines, plenty of food in the cooler…and I still have that bottle of wine you brought to Christmas dinner. You could occupy yourself until I'm done down here."

"So you want me to stay the night, witch?" Severus asked her from the top landing.

"Yes," she replied, feeling wanton as she admitted it.

Severus actually gave her a smile.

"Good thing I brought my toothbrush," he said, then disappeared into the house.

Hermione scowled after him, then shook her head.

She'd been had by the Potions Master. He planned to stay the night the entire time.

Somehow, she didn't mind a bit.

Suddenly, Hermione felt very strange…as if something were taken out of her. She caught hold of the banister, feeling woozy.

Mathias' face appeared in front of her.

"Mum?" he said looking at her disbelievingly. Then he was gone and she felt all right again.

Was that a vision? Hermione didn't know. She had an uncomfortable feeling as if Mathias was in danger. She quickly ascended the stairs, and walked into the living room just in time to see Severus grasp the back of the armchair to keep from buckling. He looked disoriented for a moment. Then he straightened, and massaged his forehead.

"Severus, are you all right?" she asked him, entering the living room.

He looked at her.

"Yes, I'm fine," he responded.

He wasn't about to tell her that he saw Mathias' face floating in front of him. She'd think he was mad.

"Did you see Mathias this morning?" she asked him.

Severus looked at her. Why was she asking about Mathias at this moment, almost the precise moment the boy appeared to him?

"Yes I did, at breakfast. He was with his friend Andreas Mbutu and Jasmine Malfoy. Jasmine came into the Great Hall for breakfast, but the boys didn't," he replied.

"They didn't? Why didn't they?" Hermione demanded to know scowling.

"Most likely they had something else planned," the wizard responded.

"Something like what?" Hermione wanted to know, as if Severus could tell her what Mathias and Andreas were up to.

"Hermione, they are students. For all I know they were off to study or take a walk around the grounds. Anything. I had no reason to think they were up to anything illicit. I don't trail Mathias or any student," he said evenly.

Hermione looked at him. He was right of course. Just because Mathias didn't go to breakfast didn't mean he was up to no good. But Hermione remembered the kind of things she, Harry and Ron were up to when they disappeared together.

"I…I just got a vision of Mathias looking at me as if he didn't believe he was seeing me," she said quietly, "I don't usually believe in visions but this seemed so real," she said.

Severus looked at her a moment.

"Perhaps I will go back to Hogwarts and check on him, and come back later," he said.

"Would you, Severus? I might be being a bit overprotective…" Hermione said.

"No, it's fine Hermione," the wizard said, starting for the door. Both of them having a vision of Mathias had to be more than a coincidence. Something was happening with the boy.

"Severus?" Hermione called him. The wizard stopped as the witch walked up to him. She stood on her tiptoes, put her arms around his neck and pulled him down a bit. She kissed him gently on the lips.

"Thank you," she said softly

Severus studied her face for a moment.

"He's my son too," he responded as she released him.

The Potions Master left quickly.

Hermione heard the crack of apparation as he disapparated for Hogwarts. Severus was turning out to be a quite responsible father.

She never would have believed it if she weren't seeing it with her own eyes. He left without a moment's hesitation. She didn't believe the wizard was trying to score points with her.

But he had anyway.

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A/N: Please review.