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 Announcement

After Snape’s dramatic departure the three friends sat looking at each other.

“So are you two still speaking to me then?” asked Hermione tentatively.

“Of course we are,” said Harry. “It’s come as a bit of a shock, but after everything we been through we’ll always be close.”

“I just don’t understand why you felt you had to lie. I’ve never lied to you,” said Ron.

“Oh come on Ron! We’d have given her a hard time and you know it.”

“Maybe if we had given her a hard time she wouldn’t be in this mess right now. Trapped down in the dungeons running after Snape day in and day out. What’s everyone going to think?”

“I don’t care what ‘everyone’ thinks,” said Hermione forcefully. “I only care what you two think. That’s why I asked his permission to explain it all to you.”

“So are you going to have to seek his permission about everything now?” said Ron.

“Some things yes. I will be working for him.”

“But don’t you hate it? You know what he’s like!” said Harry.

“He’s not too bad in private,” said Hermione. “If you two saw everything he’s supposed to fit into his day you’d appreciate why he needs an assistant he can trust.”

“What do he have to do that’s so important?” said Ron.

“Ron, he teaches Potions to 12 different classes during the day. He’s got one of the heaviest teaching loads in the school. In the evenings he’s supposed to do all the marking and preparation, brew all the potions for the Infirmary, research for Dumbledore and sneak out to Voldemort at night to spy and then get punished for not doing everything Voldemort wants him to do. It’s a wonder he’s still on his feet at all.”

“He gets punished?”

“Voldemort casts ‘crucio’ on him and last night he broke three of his fingers. I had to help him heal himself when he got back. He was in a real state. I couldn’t not help him, now that I know what I know.”

“I suppose not,” admitted Ron. “But make sure he treats you decently. I don’t want him taking all his stress out on you.”

“He doesn’t, honestly. He gets on with his work and I get on with mine. If I finish mine first I get a chance to watch him. It’s quite fascinating to watch him. He’s really good and he’s got an amazing collection of books.”

“I suppose you’ll be all right then. Just promise you’ll tell someone if he treats you badly,” said Ron seriously.

“He won’t… but if it makes you happy I’ll promise. We are still friends?”

“Always,” said Harry, with a smile.


xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


After leaving the Room of Requirement Harry and Ron went off to their Charms class and Hermione went to make use of the Prefect’s bathroom for one last time before her move to the dungeons.

She ran a fragrant bath full of bubbles and swam some lazy lengths across it. She would miss this luxury although she was sure her own bathroom would be functional enough. Making her way over to the shallow end she lay back for a soak and began to rehash the events of the last twenty-four hours. Life had certainly changed in that short space of time, and it wasn’t over yet. Telling Harry and Ron the truth had been a picnic compared to what was to come. Dinner suddenly loomed large in her mind. What on earth was she going to wear?


xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


Hermione arrived down at the classroom entrance to Snape’s quarters twenty minutes before dinner began. She knocked on the door nervously and smoothed down the skirt of her under robe. The door opened to frame her ‘fiancé’. He looked her up and down and nodded his approval.

“I’m glad to see you had the foresight not to come down here in your uniform,” he said, motioning her through into the sitting room. “That would have looked very odd later. Albus has taken the liberty of organising a small drinks party in the Staff Room for us. You will suit admirably.”

“I think I’m going to have to go clothes shopping sometime soon,” she said.

“I didn’t realise you were interested in that kind of thing. I thought you were above things of such a frivolous nature.”

“Not entirely sir, but in this case it’s a necessity.havehave this outfit, a set of dress robes and my uniform. I can’t wear the uniform publicly unless you wish to look like a pervert.”

“I’ll send for a dressmaker for you tomorrow. Three sensible working outfits should suffice for the moment. I will pay for them.”

“I have some money sir. You don’t need to buy my clothes.”

“Hermione, I think it best that you acquire the habit of addressing me as Severus in private as well as in public. We are colleagues now and as far as most people are concerned we must appear to be lovers. If I were your lover it would be appropriate for me to give you gifts and my providing your new clothes is an efficient way of fulfilling that requirement. If it pains you to allow this, you can pay me back when you receive your stipend at the quarter’s end, providing of course, I live that long. Have you got the ring?”

“It’s here si…Severus,” she said holding it out towards him on the palm of her hand.

“Does it fit?”

“It’s a bit too big.”

“Bring it over. I’ll charm it for you.”

She closed the distance between them. He took the ring from her palm and placed it on her ring finger.

It’s not going to suit you,” he said with a grimace. “Your hands are very small. I’ll do my best.” He closed his eyes and stroked the metal band on the underside. Hermione was affected by his proximity and worried that he would feel her quivering. She felt the band tighten. She pulled her hand away when it was tight enough. Severus was correct. It didn’t look right on her, but at least now she wouldn’t run the risk of losing it.

“Would you like a drink?” he asked, taking a step backwards. He had to smile at her shocked expression. “I do hope you are not a puritan about these matters Hermione.”

“No, I’ve drunk alcohol ever since I can remember but I wouldn’t normally do it on a school night.”

“It’s Friday and you are no longer a schoolgirl. Sherry?”

“Just a small one then.”

He poured two small glasses of sherry from a decanter on a side table. Turning back to her, he handed her the glass. Their hands touched again and this time he saw the tremor in hers.

“Hermione, you are going to have to get used to a small degree oysicysical contact with me. I am not generally a tactile man but if we are to carry off this deception you cannot flinch every time I come near you. I appreciate you must find my touch repugnant, but you are going to have to make an effort to conceal it.”

“No,” she said.

“Hermione, I cannot guarantee to keep three feet between us at all times.”

“I meant that I don’t find you repugnant… I’m… just nervous.”

“Oh… well just remember that the Headmaster and I will be by your side constantly. Minerva too. After tonight we won’t have to socialise, we can spend our evenings getting on with our work. I imagine we’ll both prefer that.”

“I think so.”

“May I propose a toast?” he asked?

She nodded.

“To the success of our arrangement!”

“The Arrangement!” echoed Hermione and they clinked their glasses together.


xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Just as they were leaving the Potions lab to make their way to the Great Hall, Severus stopped and swore.

“Damn it, I need to change my shoes. I quite forgot earlier. This is what comes of not working all day. You go on and wait for me outside the staff entrance. I’ll be as quick as I can.”

So saying he turned and swept off back towards his rooms. Hermione steeled herself and continued on alone. She felt quite conspicuous down here, dressed as she was. She had hoped to get to the Hall a little early so their entrance did not cause so many heads to turn. However she did not get very far. Right outside the main Slytherin entrance she virtually walked straight into Draco and Pansy, and Crabbe and Goyle, who were also on their way to the Great Hall. For a few seconds she entertained the hope she might escape unmolested, but of course it was not to be.

“Well, well…” said Draco gleefully. “What have we here? Oh I know… How silly of me. It’s a mudblood whore. And where have you been today?”

“Tied up I’ll bet!” sniped Pansy spitefully. This level of conversation was beyond Crabbe and Goyle so they were reduced to watching the action and waiting for any instructions.

“You don’t have to tie a Mudblood up Pansy, my darling. They can’t get enough. Can’t you just see this one writhing around… spreading herself….. stark naked. I bet she looks halfway decent without all those clothes… if you can stand the smell that is. Is it true Snape hoses you down before he touches you? My father says….”

“I’m sure we’re all intted ted to hear what your father says,” rruprrupted Snape, who had appeared, seemingly from nowhere. “I know I can barely keep myself awake when he opens his mouth these days. Hermione, come!”

He held out his hand imperiously and Hermione moved towards him. He reeled her in and turned her round, so he was embracing her, with her back against his front. He drew the hand wearing his ring to his lips and kissed it. Bringing it down again he as good as brandished the ring in front of the, now silent, Slytherins.

“As Hermione will shortly be my wife I think you ought to be trying to get on her good side. I won’t tolerate anyone coming crying to me if she hexes you. Get to dinner… NOW!!”

Even Draco didn’t risk ignoring that order. Hermione and Severus made their way to the top table without further incident.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


Hermione managed to eat a fair amount at dinner. By now the news of the engagement had run the whole length of the Slytherin table and many were staring at her with some hostility. There were some cus gls glances from other sixth and seventh years who knew her but it waseralerally accepted that Hermione had been working hard as a Staff assistant so no one was too surprised that she had been invited to sit with the teachers for an evening.

As the meal was drawing to an end Professor Dumbledore stood up and tapped the edge of his glass for quiet.

“Thank-you,” he said, as soon as he had their attention. Hermione could see herself shrinking it her seat.

“I have some joyous news to announce,” he continued. “We are living through a time of great turmoil at the moment but despite that love and affection continues to thrive. I am very pleased to announce the betrothal of Hermione Granger and Professor Snape. I know you will join with me in wishing them both the very best in their future lives together. There was a moment’s stunned silence. Hermione went very cold and wondered if she was about to faint. Snape squeezed her hand tightly. Ron caught Harry’s eye and they both rose to their feet applauding loudly. The Gryffindors and teachers followed their example, despite their confusion and the action spread around the Hall with even some Slytherins joining in, in a restrained way.

Hermione risked a look at Severus. He met her eyes and they exchanged a brief smile.

After that, the meal was over and the Staff proceeded to the Staff Meeting/Engagement Party.

Hermione and Severus stood in the Staff Room nursing glasses of wine. The atmosphere was rather chilly and Hermione realised that this arrangement was not only going to isolate her from her peers, it was going to isolate Severus from the other teachers and probably lose him a great deal of respect. She turned as the door opened behind her, hoping, vainly as it turned out, for a friendly face. It was Trelawney.

“I felt my presence was required,” she said, to no one in particular.

“She could smell the booze,” whispered Severus, his breath hot in her ear. She shuddered and he drew away, holding on to her arm. His grip tightened as Sybil made her way over to them. Hermione realised that he must dislike her as much as she did. The Divination professor wafted level and stared at them with confusion. She opened her mouth to speak but as she began her eyes rolled beck in her head and her voice dropped an octave as she was overtaken by prophecy.


Thank you to everyone has has made the effort to leave feedback. It is very much appreciated.