A turning moment in life

Severus found himself at a table in the darkest corner of the Three Broomsticks, having some Firewhiskey. He was trying to fathom what had led him to behave like a hormonal teenager around the bushy haired Granger. True, she had improved physically; she had a nice, well-formed body, and her eagerness to show off her intellect had also mellowed down. Severus Snape was not a man who took to women easily. He would rather be alone than with a dunderhead that could not tell the difference between dragon blood and strawberry jam.

While going over his situation, Severus saw a shadow near his elbow. The man took the seat in front of him and put a bottle of Ogden’s Best between them. It did not take a spy’s abilities to realize it was Draco Malfoy.

‘So, Godfather, what is it?’

Severus scowled, ‘What is what, Draco? Do not use riddles, boy. A direct answer requires a direct question.’

‘Why are you letting Granger get on your nerves?’ Draco smirked knowingly. He had noticed the way his godfather would look at Granger. He was not sure if it was because he hated working closer together with her, or that he could not stand her presence because she turned him on.

‘Miss Granger has always been an insufferable know-it-all Gryffindor, and I would rather not have to work with her.’

‘O.K., so you want to bed her. Why not do it and get it over with?’

‘Because I’m the greasy bat git of the dungeon and she’s the Gryffindor ice queen, Draco. I’m not that deluded as to think that a young girl would look up to a man who is her father’s age.’

‘You’re not her father’s age,’ Draco answered, looking directly into Snape’s eyes. ‘Her parents are twenty years apart and are still happily married, or so Ginny says.’

‘And your point is?’

‘That you should use some of that gold rotting your Gringott’s account to woo her. No woman can remain cold when a man gives her expensive gifts.’

Both men remained seated and silent for over an hour, during which Severus thought about how he could get Hermione Granger interested in him. Despite the fact that Severus did not consider himself “attractive” by any means, he had never found a woman who resisted him when he wanted to get her. His voice and eyes did all the work; the rest of his face could not.

**__**__**

The following week, Hermione went down to the Potions Master’s office and found him deep in his own research. He opened his library for her and let her in without saying a word. He stayed away most of the time, glancing now and then to check on what she was doing, but did not chastise her when she opened volume after volume of his precious books.

After a couple of hours, Hermione knew he was not checking on her anymore, and she started reading a rather interesting edition of Medieval Curses and Dark Intentions. The book was exciting, but one of the curses had Snape’s tiny writing all over the margin and some old parchments with notes. It was called “Facies Vitiatum”, and the wand movements were extremely complicated. The book did not say what the curse was for, but it was only used in severe punishments and had been out of use for centuries.

A shadow covered her desk and all the light around. She found herself face to face with a livid Snape, who took the book forcefully from her hands and ordered her out. Hermione was so scared to see him like that, she did not react immediately, but Snape banged the book on the table and shouted, ‘Out!’

Hermione did not know what she had done, but did not stop running until her legs could not hold her. She stumbled in the corridor that led to the Hospital Wing and made it to Ginny’s side, looking bewildered.

‘What happened to you, Hermione?’ Ginny exclaimed.

‘I don’t know. He was so angry…’ Hermione half stuttered. ‘I have never seen him looking like that. I thought he was going to hurt me.’

‘Merlin, Hermione. Sit down, and I’ll give you a Calming Draught.’ Ginny disappeared into the office and Madam Pomfrey came out to check on the girl.

‘What happened, Miss Granger?’

‘Professor Snape, he was really angry and I thought he might hit me or something.’ Hermione swallowed the potion Ginny offered her and felt calmer immediately.

‘Miss Granger, what exactly were you doing to cause the Potions Master to threaten you? Severus is not a man prone to let his emotions control his actions.’

‘But I was just reading a book, I swear! I saw an interesting one on Medieval curses and thought it would be good for my project,’ she retorted, getting her strength back. ‘I was reading on a curse called Facies Vitiatum and that’s when he appeared, looking murderous, and threw me out.’

Madam Pomfrey looked worried and relieved at the same time after hearing Hermione’s side of the story. She knew why Severus reacted like that, but had taken a wizard’s oath not to reveal anything about it. So, instead of telling the truth to Hermione, she gave both girls a half-explanation.

‘Miss Granger, there was nothing surprising about Severus reaction. That curse was put on him a long time ago. He has spent years researching it, but it’s gotten him nowhere. I can’t tell you how it affects the person who receives it, but it certainly is nothing good. Severus is very protective of his secrets, as you well know, and he just reacted instinctively to prevent you from reading more.’
With that said, she disappeared so the girls could not ask her any more questions. Both Ginny and Hermione were deep in thought and were having similar problems accepting such a lame excuse for the Professor’s behaviour.

‘Could you ask Malfoy about it?’ Hermione suddenly asked.

‘Of course, next time I see him. I’m sure he knows, Hermione, but I don’t think he’ll tell me. You know those Slytherins don’t want people knowing their secrets.’

‘Yes, I know. But I have to work with the man, remember?’

They decided it was better to wait and see if Draco had some answers.