Say You Love Me

Chapter Seven
This is Snape We’re Talking About

“I am not ignorant, Severus. I see the lust in your eyes when you look at her.”

Over and over the phrase repeated itself in Hermione’s mind for the rest of the day. It was hard to come to grips with the fact that the older witch considered her a threat, and even harder to think that the professor could desire her as a woman. She’d never been noticed before save for the sloppy attentions of Ron and the cool sophistication of Viktor.

Hermione rolled over in bed and stared up at the canopy above her. Lust. If Ecclestia were to be believed, then Snape wanted to actually do some of the things to her that she had fantasized about whilst touching herself. A small thrill ran through her and settled in the pit of her belly. Snape wanted her. Hermione wanted him, wanted to feel his mouth on hers again and the brush of his hair against her cheeks.

The rosy thoughts of love came to a cold halt as Hermione remembered the comment about Dumbledore being aware of Snape’s thoughts that had followed the one about lust. The Headmaster being the wizard that he was probably knew everything, knew that she had been kissed, and knew that Hermione wanted Snape’s attentions.

“Gods,” Hermione groaned, flinging an arm across her eyes. Nothing had been said on Dumbledore’s part – at least not to her – but silence on his part did not mean that he didn’t know. She could be expelled if something were to happen. Okay, so something had happened, but it was only a kiss. One totally innocent kiss that she had forced him into.

Remember his response.

Snape’s response had been that of a mature wizard, not a boy. If Dumbledore did know about the situation then both of them would be in trouble. Add Ecclestia to that and it would be a volatile mix that might erupt at any given moment.

So give up on him. Do the right thing and find someone else that is safer to be with.

She was safe with Snape, Hermione’s conscience argued. He would not let any harm come to her. He was a powerful wizard with dark magic that could be used if needed.

“But he’s a Death Eater,” she said aloud. “Voldemort will kill him if he finds out he is a spy for the Order. He has a past that you know little about and he is your professor.”

Most importantly, he was now married and his wife hated her. She would have to keep her distance.

~*~

Ecclestia had taken her time returning to the rooms that Albus had supposedly banished her to. A small knot of Slytherin girls were gathered outside the potions classroom, talking.

“You have to be joking, Millie. There isn’t a single boy here that would take Granger to bed. She’s the professional virgin of Hogwarts and probably the only one left,” the girl paused. “Except maybe for that Weasley boy she follows around all the time.”

“I swear that I saw her looking at--,” Millicent began, and then spotted Ecclestia, whom was staring haughtily at them. “Hello Madame Snape. We heard that the Professor was ill. Will he be teaching tomorrow?”

“I do not know, young lady.” Ecclestia looked down her aristocratic nose at them. “You might consult that excuse for a Headmaster and ask him that question.”

The girls giggled.

“Aren’t you supposed to be in class?” Ecclestia tapped her red nails against her arm impatiently, the information she’d heard about Hermione Granger digesting itself in her brain.

“We were just going,” Pansy explained. “Come on, girls.”

A sly smile spread across Ecclestia’s face as she warded the doors to Severus’ private rooms behind her. Now she knew exactly how to deal with Miss Hermione Granger.

~*~

The next evening, Hermione had spent an hour watching the quidditch team practice. She hadn’t wanted to but Ron wanted to show off for her and hadn’t given her a chance to refuse. A group huddle gave her the opening she needed to grab her book bag and sneak off to the library for some studying.

“Miss Granger, I would like a word with you.” Ecclestia stepped from the darkening shadows.

Hermione stopped in her tracks, immediately suspicious of the older witch.

“I am sorry Madame Snape, but I am in a hurry. I have to get to the library,” she explained, wanting to get away from Ecclestia.

“Oh dear,” Ecclestia looked disappointed. “I thought that perhaps you might be delighted to hear that my husband is doing much better since you are so fond of him.”

“The Professor is better?”

“Oh yes, I am certain that he will be released tomorrow. I know that you have missed him, but not as much as I have myself. You see, being newlyweds, we can’t seem to get enough of each other.”

“That is good to hear,” Hermione replied. “At least, about him being released tomorrow.”

“You need to get yourself married, Miss Granger. Or may I just call you Hermione? Hermione, marriage is an absolute delight, especially when one’s husband is an animal in bed.”

“An- animal?” Hermione felt heat suffuse her cheeks and made her heart beat faster.

“Oh yes, Severus is ravenous in his needs and quite blessed in size.”

“Size?”

“His male equipment, dear. He is so large that experienced as I am, I felt as if he would tear me apart.”

Hermione had read more than one book detailing on the pain of first joining, but she hadn’t heard of it hurting more than that.

“Of course, Severus is into pain,” Ecclestia continued.

“Into pain?”

Hermione’s eyes grew wider, and Ecclestia suppressed the urge to laugh at the girl. From the looks of things it should be most easy to frighten her away from Severus.

“Yes, darling. Haven’t any of your girlfriends ever explained to you about how some male wizards enjoy tying up their partners and inflicting pain? It can be enjoyable, although it makes one quite sore afterward.”

“Sore?” Hermione squeaked.

“You can always use a healing spell or a potion to get rid of the soreness before another round. My, my, am I frightening you?”

“Of course not,” Hermione replied with more bravado than she felt.

“I mustn’t monopolize all of your time, but do feel free to visit me in the dungeons and I will be happy to answer any questions you might have about sex.”

“I’ve read enough about it, Madame Snape. I have to be going now.”

“Tsk. Such a shame that you spend so much time reading when you could be doing more constructive things.”

“I have my N.E.W.T.S. to worry about.”

“There are nicer things in life to dwell upon than studying, Hermione. Just remember that,” Ecclestia as she watched Hermione scurry off. It wasn’t until the girl was out of sight that her wicked laugh filled the air.

~*~

The next morning Severus emerged in full dress, still a little weak but feeling better since the painful convulsions had ceased. He was not looking forward to having another inevitable confrontation with his wife, so rather than go to their rooms he chose to attempt breakfast instead.

He was stared at as he entered the room but he was used to it. The golden trio was at the Gryffindor table already eating.

“Snape’s back,” Ron whispered.

Harry and Hermione turned to look, not realizing that Snape was directly behind them.

“Yes, Mister Potter, the great black bat of the dungeons has returned,” Severus sneered.

“I didn’t expect anything less,” Harry replied.

“Ten points from Gryffindor for your cheek.”

Hermione felt her insides quake as the Professor’s black eyes locked with hers. Ecclestia’s words had haunted her since last night. All she could think about was the pain associated with the man, and she cringed slightly and turned her back to him without speaking.

Severus noticed that Hermione turned slightly pale and did not speak. He wondered what that was about, but inwardly shrugged it off. He had too many problems without adding yet another one to it.

Hermione picked at her food, still thinking about Snape. She knew that he had a violent side. He must have, considering that he had joined the Death Eaters at a young age. Therefore, she didn’t have reason to doubt Ecclestia’s words.

He was sleeping with his wife, that much was apparent. She had hoped that somehow it wasn’t true considering that he did not seem to be close to Ecclestia. She was jealous of the woman because she wanted to be in Ecclestia’s place as Snape’s wife. But the pain that Ecclestia had spoken of—Hermione hated pain and her hormones were warring with her mind, which was fearful of the unknown.

Hermione knew that some people were kinky when it came to sexual congress. She’d seen proof of this in some of the coloured magazines that she’d found in her parent’s dresser drawer. She stole a glance at Snape, who was glaring at Hagrid, his untouched food before him. Those hands of his that held a potions vial with such care were not to be trusted in the bedroom.

Just my luck, Hermione thought. The man that I’ve harbored secret fantasies about not only is married but kinky in the bargain.

“Hey Herm, are you going to eat that?” Ron pointed to the bacon on her plate that had grown cold.

“Help yourself,” she said automatically as Ron scooped up the bacon and chomped happily on it.

“Have to gain at least a stone,” he mumbled. “Hooch says I need to build up my muscles.”

“What muscles?” Ginny asked. “There’s not been a Weasley male with muscles since Charlie and Bill left home.”

Harry laughed as Ron turned red and Ginny smirked.

“You’ll see,” Ron replied. “By the time we graduate, the Chudley Cannons will be asking me to join. Then Hermione and I can get married.”

Hermione looked at Ron with disinterest. At least he was unlikely to be large in the crotch department and he wasn’t capable of inflicting pain. He might be a good husband. Somehow, she just couldn’t picture herself married to him.

She gave up the pretense of eating and grabbed her book bag.

“Where are you going?” Ginny asked.

“To the library, I have to return some books.”

“If you read anything else, Herm, I swear your brain will explode.”

“Shut your gob, Ron. Leave the girl alone,” Ginny said. “I could say the same thing about your stomach, as much as you consume.”

Hermione left the room, leaving brother and sister to argue much to Harry’s amusement. She was so intent on getting away that she didn’t feel the black eyes that had irresistibly watched her as she went out the door.