Puppy-Dog Tales

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Chapter 6 - Human Again

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Draco darted around Snape's legs and saw Hermione with her face hidden in his robes and her fingers clinging to his shirt.

“Are you alright, Miss Granger?” Professor Snape asked, looking at the scared young woman.

Hermione couldn't answer. She just pressed closer to him sliding her arms around his waist.

“Miss Granger, I must check on other students.” Severus reminded her. If the circumstances were different, he'd never let an opportunity to allow such a gorgeous female to cling to his person pass him by.

Hermione let go of him reluctantly.

"Go ahead and go into my office, Miss Granger."

Hermione nodded and stared dreamily at Severus.

Draco whined and followed her.

Hermione knelt and gathered the puppy close to her chest.

Draco pushed his nose into her chest. He whined and cried. His witch had almost gotten killed.

Hermione kissed his head repeatedly while stroking his ears.

She carried him into Severus' office and sat down on the rickety visitor chair.

Draco licked her and whined.

"I'm okay, Prince."

Draco licked her face. He wished that he'd be a boy again, so he could go and kill Goyle first.

"I'm glad you're okay, Prince," Hermione whispered.

Severus entered the office.

“I have cancelled my classes for the day.”

"Thank you, Severus," Hermione said. "You saved my life, again."

“That is my duty, Hermione,” Severus said and hid the pain from the burns on his back.

Hermione stood up and set Draco down as she moved and wrapped her arms around him again.

“You are my hero, Severus!” she murmured and her hands wandered over his back till she touched holes in his outer robe.

“Careful. I think I got a few burns.”

Hermione's eyes widened, and she quickly directed him to his comfortable chair, "I'll take care of you."

“Maybe we should go to my quarters then,” Severus said and led the girl.

Hermione nodded and took his arm lightly.

“You were injured when saving me. Oh Severus, how can I repay you?”

"There is nothing to repay, Hermione," Severus said, as she eased his robe off his arms.

“But you risked your life for me!” Hermione said and looked at him with awe. He was such a selfless hero.

Severus smiled at her as she undid his shirt.

"Where is the burn ointment?" she asked, looking up into his eyes.

Draco whined and walked over to lean on Hermione.

“I think we should let the dog play in the corner for a while. He might get upset when you treat me.”

"Yes," Hermione said. She gently tapped her wand to the wall and then to his collar creating a fifteen foot long tie.

She took a toy out of her bag and threw it to Draco.

Draco whined and pulled out to the end of his tether and turned in nervous circles as Hermione disappeared to the bathroom to get the ointment.

Severus smirked at the dog. “Sit quietly, Draco,” he whispered, “or else I will tell her who you really are.”

Draco curled his lips back.

"I don't like that nasty look either. If you are nasty, I'll tell her who you are. And that I have to look after now as Head of Slytherin.”

Draco opened his mouth and showed his teeth.

Snape flicked his wand at Draco and a silver and green strapped muzzle was firmly fitted around his snout.

Draco pawed at it, but it wouldn't budge.

Hermione walked back in a moment later and she knelt at Severus' feet as she opened the jar.

“Maybe it would be best if you took off your shirt and lay down on the couch, Severus. Then I can rub in the ointment correctly.”

Severus quickly shifted out of his shirt and lay down on the sofa.

Hermione held her breath for a moment. Goodness, Severus was hiding a lot under his robes!

She gently began to rub ointment onto the burns.

Severus didn't even wince in pain as he looked at her blushing face.

“You got burned quite badly, Severus. I feel so bad for making you suffer.”

"Hermione, this is nothing, and you are not the cause of these burns. Mr. Goyle is, and he is going to be expelled."

“I don't care about Goyle. I care about you, Severus!”

"You might be the only person who does," Severus said sadly.

“That's not true! Minerva cares for you a lot too!”

Severus sighed. Minerva was nice, but what he longed for was a witch in his life. He didn't need another mother. He needed the affection of one good woman who would be his heart and soul. He had watched Hermione grow up and in this final year he had the feeling that she was the one for him.

Hermione loved the feel of his lean yet muscled back. He was gorgeous. Before he lay down, she caught a glimpse of his torso. Utter perfection. She wanted to run her hands over the light hint of abs.

"Severus, your legs," Hermione said, and she gasped when she saw part of his right pant leg had been completely eaten away by the acidity of whatever brew the moron Goyle had created when tossing something into her perfect concoction.

She tried to tear his trousers away.

Severus yelped. "I'll take care of my legs," he said, taking her hands. "You’ve done more than enough now, my Dear."

“But Severus it needs to be taken care now!” she insisted.

Severus hid a blush. He had revealed even more to her than necessary at this point. She should be repulsed by his old body by now. And if she knew he didn't wear any underwear...

"Hermione, I insist upon taking care of my legs myself," Severus said, covering her tiny hands with his. "I will be back in just a moment."

“But Severus, I must be sure all wounds are healed!” she tried to insist.

"Who is the Potions master here?" Severus asked, raising an eyebrow at her. "I am cure I can handle applying the ointment."

Hermione looked down. She didn't want to question Severus' knowledge; she just wanted to help.

"Hermione, it's fine. I know you want to help, but I will take care of this myself. You've done more than enough now."

He took the burn paste from her and strode to the bathroom. She didn't need to see his half-erect cock.

Hermione stared after him and bit her lip.

Once in the bathroom, Severus shed his ruined trousers. Thank goodness, she didn't decide to vanish his clothes, for then she would have seen his shame.

He quickly began to apply the ointment and quickly summoned robes around his body.

Hermione paced the sitting room nervously. Why was Severus taking so long?

Draco tried to get her attention with play bows and growls.

Severus walked out into the room a moment later wearing a pair of trousers to cover his legs a robe that was unbuttoned at the top.

Hermione run to him and hugged him tightly.

"Can I offer you something to drink?" he asked.

Hermione sobbed into his robes.

“Now, witch, everything is fine. I haven't sustained permanent damage. I’ve had far worse than this.”

"You and Prince both could have been killed, and because I was not paying attention."

“It was Goyle's fault, not yours. It was good that the dog raised the alarm.”

"Yes," Hermione said, turning and looking at Draco who had discovered a spider crawling on the floor and was growling at it menacingly and shaking his shoulders.

“Would you like a drink? I think you may need something stronger than tea.”

"I don't touch firewhiskey, but I wouldn't say no to calming draught and vanilla tea."

“Sometimes a firewhiskey can be benficial, but if you don't like it, why don't you take a calming draught and enjoy the tea?”

“Thank you, Severus. You are so caring. I can't find the right words to describe how I feel.”

Severus smiled at her as he collected tea things and a poured a shot of firewhiskey for himself.

“Can I hug you?” Hermione asked, looking at him with big eyes.

"That might not be the best plan," Severus said, as he felt a twitch in his trousers.

“Why?” Hermione said and pouted.

Severus was confused. He only wanted to prevent her from being too close to him. He wanted her to feel respected.

"Hermione, you are still my student. I will not have any appearance of impropriety."

“But I need a hug. And no one will know. And I am of age. I am nineteen, for heaven's sake.”

"It makes no difference. I am still your professor. No matter how I much I enjoy your hugs, I will not be thought to be taking advantage of you, of age or not. I am thir—not nineteen."

Hermione let tears fall.

"Please don't cry," Severus said, gently taking her hand. "Please."

“You're thinking I am going to molest you when I hug you!”

"No, I am not," Severus said, offering her the calming potion. IF anything, she should worry that he would molest her.

“Yes!” she said and curled in a ball on the sofa.

"Take the calming potion, Hermione. Please. You need it. You have been overstressed."

“You don't like me. You don't want to give me a hug!”

Severus awkwardly patted her back. Hermione leaned her cheek on his shoulder.

“I want a hug,” she said and sobbed a little.

"Would you just like to take a break from everything?" he asked. "I do have some of the classics if you would like to read."

He slipped his arm around her shoulders.

“Can I cuddle you, please?”

Severus blushed.

“I need some comfort. That's one thing you can do for me. Please?”

"If that will make you feel better," Severus said with a gulp. "And as long as we are appropriate."

“I won't do anything you don't want me to do, Severus. I respect you a lot. I just find you attractive, too,” Hermione said and blushed. Had she just said that aloud?

Severus' eyes widened.

"You flatter me. I am not attractive," he said, looking away with a feint red tinge on his cheeks.

“I like your looks. I think the tall, dark and menacing thing is very hot.”

Severus coughed and downed his shot of firewhiskey.

Hermione snuggled his shoulder. “You smell nice.”

Severus blushed even more. He flicked his wand and a book zoomed off the shelf.

Hermione boldly lay across his lap.

Severus smiled as he opened the book.

"No way," Hermione said, as she saw a tidy signature on the page.

Severus smiled knowingly.

"Yes, it really is signed by Charlotte Bronte. I thought you might enjoy Jane Eyre. It is one of my favorite books."

“Oh Severus, I love this book,” she said and kissed his cheek.

Severus blushed as Hermione resettled putting her cheek on his forearm and staring at the book as he began to read aloud to her from the beginning.

Draco lay down and watched them listening to the story. Draco watched the whole time, anger bubbling up in him. Sneaky bastard Snape!

Hermione felt like in heaven. Severus' voice was so soothing, and it felt nice to rest against his strong body. She wiggled a little in his lap when she felt something poke her hip. He probably had his wand in his pocket.

Severus' voice choked a little as he continued despite her wiggles. She didn't know what she did to a man.

Hermione leaned against him and let tiredness envelope her.

Severus tried to shift himself so that his throbbing erection would be away from her.

Draco shifted and growled.

He could sense Snape's arousal. Dirty old man! Severus glared over his shoulder at the dog. Why was the boy keeping up the charade?

Draco stood up and shook his puppy body. He lowered his head and put his ears back.

Hermione was fast asleep. When Severus tried to move, she would protest and cling to him.

Severus set the book aside.

"Hermione, I'll be right back," he said, lifting her from his lap.

Draco barked.

Hermione whimpered in her sleep, reaching out for Severus.

"I'll be right back. I need to use to the lavatory."

Severus slipped into the loo, and quickly spell locked the door. She didn't need to walk in on him wanking. That would be awful.

Gods, he was attracted to her. His love for Lily had been purely platonic, but Hermione...she was everything he'd ever dreamt about. And she said he was attractive. And she wanted to be close to him. She had to be blind, he thought sadly as he looked away from the mirror and turned on the shower.

He did look slightly better than during the war, but there was nothing striking about his beak nose and pale sickly skin. Disgusting was the word he would use about himself. He sighed as he tried not to think about how delicious Hermione felt on his lap as his hand slid to his bit. But he would try to show her his worth when she'd enroll in the apprenticeship.

He would write her a letter seeking permission. As that was the right and proper way of going about it.

Hermione whimpered miserably. She reached and stretched searching for her pillow.

"Woof!" Draco wanted to get rid of his bonds. This was not right. He couldn’t defend her when tied.

Hermione opened her eyes and looked around.

Draco tried the length of the leash to get close to her, but it wasn’t long enough.

"Puppy, who put that muzzle on you?" she cried sitting up and dashing to him. She slipped the muzzle off and began to massage where the bands had rested.

Draco whimpered sadly and growled at the bathroom door.

“Prince, this is Severus' domain. Here you have to obey his rules.”

Draco whined loudly and wiggled his whole body so he was between her legs.

He liked her scent. Especially when she got slightly aroused, his dog-senses could pick it up easily.

"You are such a good puppy, Prince."

Hermione smiled as she stroked his head. She could hear the shower running. At one point she thought she heard her name, but that was probably just her imagination.

Severus walked out of the bathroom a few minutes later with wet hair dripping a little and just a pair of pajama bottoms on.

“Do you feel better now, Severus?” Hermione asked, admiring the view.

"I feel refreshed," he said, toweling his hair a little more. "Would you like to join me for dinner and perhaps a discussion of your upcoming NEWTs?"

“That would be wonderful, Severus!”

"Shall we order something?" he asked, pulling on a robe and tying it around his waist. "What would you like to eat?"

“Anything you like. I am not picky.”

"Copper," Severus called, and a tiny elf with copper colored eyes appeared and bowed low to the pair.

Hermione was still fixated on Severus.

"I feel like Chinese tonight," he said, "You know what I like. And for you, Miss Granger?"

The elf squeaked and looked at Hermione. He'd heard all about her. Missy who tried to trick elves into freedom.

“I'll have the same as Severus, just less spicy if it is meant to be very hot.”

"Yes Mistress. Will be goods. No need for clotheses," and with that he popped back to the kitchen.

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Don't blame the elves for believing that you are obsessed with their freedom," Severus said, and he sat down in a chair and observed her as he linked his fingers together.

“But they're delusional! They NEED freedom!”

"We are not here to discuss elves," Severus said calmly. "Though, if you were taking NEWTs for Magical Creatures, that would not be a topic that I would recommend."

“Of course.”

"Do you have any ideas ready?"

“There's so many things...I just don't want to bother you with all of it.”

"I wouldn't have asked if I perceived that it would be a bother to myself. However, if there is something you would rather talk about, I am happy to listen. Anything about the troubles with Mr. Potter."

Hermione didn't know what to say. She wanted to impress Severus. And whining about Harry was not the way to do so.

"You know of my plans for an improved Wolfsbane Brew. Do you have any ideas for improvements to any known potions? You really should do a practice session before the NEWTs. You will have to present at least a plausible idea. But a working brew would earn an even better score,” Severus asked, leaning forward and trying to coax some response from her.

Hermione listened to Severus in awe. He was so different in private.

Severus sighed, how was he supposed to build a relationship with her when she wouldn’t talk to him. Lily, at least, had talked…well bossed was more like it.

"Is there something you wish to say to me, Hermione? You aren't speaking much."

“It's just... I am overwhelmed...”

"By what?" Severus asked, leaning forward as two plates of steaming orange glazed duck, fried rice with little carrots and peas mixed in, and crab rangoon arrived with two tall glasses of water with a wedge of lemon on the side of each.

“This looks delicious!” Hermione exclaimed.

"Wait until you taste it," Severus said, picking up his chopsticks as he placed a napkin on his lap.

Hermione took her plate and nervously looked at the chopsticks.

"Would you like a fork and knife?" Severus asked as he held a piece of the duck and some rice with his own chopsticks.

“Yes, I'd like that. Sorry to be a burden.”

"Not a problem," Severus said, just as a knife and fork appeared for Hermione.

Hermione took a bite and moaned.

Severus put a bite in his own mouth and closed his eyes in bliss.

Hermione liked his relaxed expression.

Severus quickly took another bite.

“The elves prepare food for the Professors on demand.”

"It is amazing!" Hermione said. "What is this dish?"

“Orange glazed duck…”

"Delicious," Hermione said, staring at her plate as she quickly asked a question. "AreyouseeinganyoneSeverus?"

“What did you say, Hermione? If I am seeing elves?”

Hermione blushed and looked away. She should have kept her big mouth shut.

“Do tell me, Hermione. There's nothing to be ashamed of.”

Hermione took a large bite of rice and stared at the fire.

"I was wondering if you," Hermione's voice grew more and more quiet till she was only mouthing at the end as she squinted into the flames, "were seeing a witch."

“ME?” Severus asked and laughed. “Who on earth would see me?”

"Any sixth or seventh year witch at Hogwarts to name a few!" Hermione exclaimed, before shoveling some more food into her mouth for an excuse not to say anything further.

“Hermione, they don't like me. I am the, I quote, ‘greasy git.’”

"They do!" Hermione said, swallowing quickly. "They talk about your voice and your persona like you are some sort of prince of darkness. And they like it!"

Severus chuckled.

“A wizard so accomplished like you...there must be a waiting list!'

"Yes, a wizard who caused the death of countless people by coming up with the restoration potion the Dark Lord used to resurrect himself. A wizard who told the Dark Lord a prophecy that condemned his only childhood friend to death. A wizard who has never spared a kind word for his students, and at one point was known for making those that couldn't pass certain tests take the Both Ends Cleanser."

Hermione choked. "You made students drink the Both Ends Cleanser Potion?"

Severus smirked. "It was to build character."

"That potion is cruel, but not harmful," Hermione said. "What sort of test was it?"

"One where the potion had to be identified and the ingredients correctly stated," Severus said. "If they were wrong, to boost their memories, they got to drink a dose."

“That's plain brilliant, Severus!”

"Would you want to try such a test without being told what to plan for or what you might need to know? It was the beginning of term test."

“Hopefully not for first years?”

"They were the ones most in need of character building," Severus said with a nasty grin.

Hermione gasped.

“But that would be unfair, so I tested the sixth and seventh years instead.”

"I knew you would have never done that to first years," Hermione said with a triumphant smile as she touched her leg to his.

Severus didn't know what to do. Was the witch really making advances on him?

"WOOF! WOOF!"

“I forgot to order food for the dog! He must be hungry!”

Draco's front feet lifted from the floor as he barked.

"Don't worry," Severus said. "Copper."

Copper appeared.

"Would you get a can of lamb and rice dog chow for my canine guest?" Severus grinned at the dog.

Draco growled and puffed his fur.

“He likes human food better.”

"Well, while he is here, I think canine food is what I would like to see him eat. It has the nutrients that his body needs. He has no chance without accepting that he is a dog and must behave like one."

"WOOF! WOOF!" Draco gave Hermione his best sad eyes.

Hermione nodded. Maybe she was spoiling the puppy too much.

A moment later a simple bowl of wet mashed up dog food appeared in front of the puppy. Draco glared at it angrily. He looked up at Hermione sadly and play bowed to her.

Hermione was too busy with staring at Severus. She liked being here with him.

"Woof!"

“Your puppy needs the muzzle. He thinks that he is the main person here.”

"Woof!" Draco cried, looking at the dog food. Who cared that it smelled good? He was person! Severus knew that.

Hermione took another bite of the duck. It was divine. Just like Severus was the perfect company.

Draco started lunging on his tie and barking.

“I think your dog is rather restless. There is a potion to help him with that. Dogs often feel distress in new places.”

Draco lowered his head and growled his best.

“Maybe that would be beneficial. He may also need to learn to eat dog food,” Hermione said.

Draco whined loudly and fell over feigning death.

“He's sick!” Hermione said and was about to run to the dog.

Severus took her hand. "Hermione, he is faking it," he said, drawing her hand to his lips and ghosting them over her fingertips.

Draco leapt up and began to whine and stamp his feet.

Hermione looked at Severus' eyes. There was something in them she had not seen before.

Draco stamped his little paws more and whined.

“Hermione, you are truly exceptional,” Severus murmured.

Hermione blushed and bit her lower lip.

"It's about time to reapply the ointment to your burns," she said.

"And it's time that you returned to your rooms in Gryffindor tower," Severus said, firmly.

“May I stay the night! No one will know! Please Severus?'

"No, you can't, Hermione. By no stretch is that alright. You have the puppy to protect you."

“I just want to make sure you heal correctly.”

Draco was sniffing at the dog food. He didn't want that stuff. But he hadn't eaten in so long. His puppy tummy was empty. He inched his nose over the lip of the bowl and sniffed. It smelled so good.

"Hermione, I will be fine," Severus said, kissing the palms of each hand. "And I owe thanks to you for that."

“Can I give you a hug?”

"Yes," he said, pulling her close by her hands and letting her arms rest on his chest.

Hermione smiled and leaned on him.

Severus grinned and leaned down, "Look at the puppy."

Hermione glanced over and grinned brightly as she saw the puppy take his first nibble of dog food.

Draco gulped the food quickly. He hated the texture, but he was hungry.

"Good boy, Prince. Good Boy!" Hermione said, smiling.

Severus pulled her closer and rested his cheek on her head for a minute.

"You and the puppy had best be getting back to your rooms," Severus said. "You are welcome to floo."

Hermione sighed. She didn't want to leave. But she knew that Severus was too noble to accept her stay.

Draco pranced to Hermione’s side as his tie fizzled away.

"You finished all your supper like a good dog," Severus said, and he roughly rubbed Draco's head and grinned at the dog as his lip curled up a little.

Draco couldn't wait to be alone with his witch again.

He shoved himself between the legs of his godfather and his witch. He wiggled and moaned loudly.

"I see you, Handsome," Hermione said, leaning down and smoothing his hair so it all lay correctly again.

Severus glared at the dog.

Draco whined loudly and began to lick Hermione's face.

"Yes, Precious. Your mum neglected you this afternoon. But she loves you! Yes, she does," Hermione cooed as she gathered him up in her arms.

Hermione waved to Severus and stepped into the floo.

Draco waved a paw goodbye to his godfather before resting it on Hermione's bosom.

Back in her rooms Hermione felt sad.

Draco jumped up onto the bed and began to wriggle and try to make Hermione smile.

“I like Severus, you know, Prince?”

Draco sat on the bed and whined looking a bit sad with his ears back.

"Oh, I like you, too, Handsome. But you are just a puppy. You can't be a husband."

Draco jumped from the bed and went to seek the year book.

He brought it back in his mouth and opened it.

He shifted the pages with his paw, till he found his portrait.

HE pointed to his picture. It took up the whole page. As Hermione wasn't looking, he found his Hermione doll again. He dropped the doll on the page, and began to press her against it as Hermione slipped on a simple green nightgown.

“What are you doing, Prince?”

He continued pressing the doll on the picture before using his front paws to hold the doll up.

Hermione wondered what the dog was trying to do. Maybe he was just playing.

He pressed the doll against his picture again.

“Prince, what is it?”

Draco whimpered again.

"It's bed time, Sweetie," Hermione said, and she closed the yearbook and picked up his doll and put them away.

She sighed as she blew out the bedside candle and wrapped an arm around her puppy as she closed her eyes.

Draco whined and licked her cheek.

The sun was creeping through the window when Draco woke up the next morning.

Suddenly, he felt his body contort.

"Prince," Hermione said, shifting and trying to find his fur.

But the fur was gone. Instead, the small dog with tiny short legs and cute little paws had changed to the long and toned limbs of a very naked Draco Malfoy. Draco quickly sat up.

“Severus,” Hermione murmured and reached out.

He had to get out of here. He grabbed the Hermione doll and the collar she had bought for him. There was no way he'd dare to stay any longer. He quickly crawled under the bed and grabbed the map and cloak he had fairly stolen.

Then he darted through the floo to the Headboy suite of rooms.

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There was Chapter 6. Please leave a review.

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