Payback is a Witch

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 8 ~ Just a Couple of Questions

After about three weeks of uneventful impersonation, both Severus and Hermione were approached, Hermione by Dumbledore and Severus by Ron.

Severus was in the Auror staff room, getting a cup of coffee, when a witch strolled in. Her hair was black and close cropped, and her eyes almost violet. She was quite attractive in her way, just about the same size as Severus.

"Good morning, Mistress Granger," the witch said, smiling at him.

"Good morning," Severus replied.

"You don't know me. My name is Sappho Grunderwurld, and I work in the Department of Magical Records," the witch said, preparing herself a cup of coffee as she spoke. She added a generous amount of sugar and cream, stirring it, then looked at Severus.

"I wanted to ask you if you would like to go out sometime?" Sappho asked him.

Severus stared at her.

"Go out?" he repeated.

"Yes," Sappho replied with a bright smile, "To dinner and a show."

Severus blinked at her. Was this how witches made new friends?

"Ah, you mean a girl's night out," he said to the witch.

Sappho's eyes glittered a bit.

"Something like that, yes. But we would be the only two girls," she said rather meaningfully.

Neither Severus nor Sappho noticed Ron had entered the staff room. He stopped by the door, listening.

"Certainly you don't mean out on a date?" Severus asked the witch, astonished.

Sappho gave him a rather sexy smile now.

"Yes, I do mean a date, Mistress Granger. I've been watching you the past couple of weeks, and I believe we have something in common," she replied.

"We certainly do. Sexual parts," the wizard thought as he looked at the witch. Gods, she was hitting on Hermione. She thought the witch was gay.

Sappho pulled out a slip of parchment and slipped it into Severus' small hand, caressing it slightly as she did so.

"Owl me and we'll iron out the details," the witch said, turning and exiting the staff room, walking right past Ron. The Auror turned to watch her go, then turned back toward Severus.

"You're dating women now, Hermione? That would explain a lot," he said, walking up to the witch and looking her over. "That haircut for example. It's pretty butch."

Severus brought one hand to his hair self-consciously.

"I am not dating witches, Mr. Weasley," Severus replied, picking up his coffee and making as if to leave. Ron caught him lightly by the wrist.

"What's going on, Hermione? You haven't called me over in a while. I kind of miss our time together. Hearing you laugh," the wizard said, his voice dropping low. "You know no one can make you laugh like I do."

Severus felt Hermione's body respond lightly to the wizard. It wasn't anything overwhelming, just a small, pleasant pulse.

"I've been busy," Severus replied lamely.

Ron searched his face.

"You've been going to Vlad, haven't you?" he asked him, his voice going a bit dark. "I know he does something for you I can't Hermione, but I don't like or trust that wizard. I wish you would stop seeing him. I know we aren't exclusive, but I really think he's dangerous. I've seen the bruises. No wizard should bruise you."

Bruises? Vlad used to leave bruises on Hermione? Well, he wouldn't be doing that anymore. The wizard was lucky Severus hadn't known that. He would have returned the favor.

"I can handle my own affairs, Mr. Weasley," Severus replied evenly.

Ron scowled at him.

"And what is this Mr. Weasley business? You don't even say my name anymore. Are you trying to distance yourself from me, Hermione? Do you want to stop seeing me? If you do, all you have to do is say so," the wizard said.

He looked a bit sad however. Severus didn't care, he jumped on the chance.

"Yes…Ron. That's it precisely. There's…there's someone else I am getting quite involved with and want to be exclusive with," the wizard said.

"Really? You've finally found someone you're willing to see exclusively? Wow, Hermione. That's great," Ron said, but he didn't look as if it were great. "Who is it? It's not Vlad is it?"

"No, not Vlad. I've stopped seeing him too," Severus said. That much was true at least. "But I would rather not say who it is. The relationship is still rather new and we are still working on the commitment part. I don't want the person to hear we're an item before we actually become an item."

Ron nodded with understanding. He looked relieved Hermione was no longer seeing Vlad.

"Ok, Hermione. I can respect that," Ron said. He looked at her and took a deep breath, "So no more shag buddies, eh?"

Severus shook his head.

"Well, buddies will be fine then, though it was fun. You are wonderful Hermione," the wizard said earnestly. "I'm going to miss our games. And getting close to you."

"I bet," Severus thought.

"You have your other girlfriends," Severus said by way of comfort, not realizing he sounded cold. But Ron didn't take offense. It was true after all.

He nodded.

"Yeah, but they aren't you. Still, they'll have to do," the Auror answered him. Then Ron cocked his head at the witch. "This person…he is a wizard, right? I mean, I just saw Sappho putting the moves on you…and you didn't tell her no…"

Severus frowned.

"Why does everyone think I'm gay all of the sudden?" he snarled.

Ron shrugged.

"Well, that haircut for one thing. It is kind of short. Plus you never dress up anymore or wear heels to work like you used to. And your walk…well…it's changed. A lot less swish and a lot more stomp if you know what I mean," Ron said tactfully. "And people in the Research Department say you've been more snappish when you talk to them now. Not polite at all. Very dominating. That's not you, Hermione."

Severus scowled.

"So everyone thinks I've changed my sexual orientation because of my hair, my shoes, my walk and the way I talk?" he asked the wizard, his face contorting slightly.

Ron shrugged.

"Pretty much. Remember, you cut me off too," the wizard added.

This was too much.

"All of you are fucking idiots!" he said to the wizard, putting down his cup and storming out of the staff room.

Ron looked after him, open-mouthed. Hermione rarely cursed in public or called people names. He shook his head.

"Bye, Hermione," he called after her. But Severus was gone.

"Maybe she's going through the Change," the wizard theorized, walking over to the stove to get himself a cup of coffee.

Witches.

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Hermione was in Severus' study at Hogwarts, sitting at his desk and marking test papers. She was being very severe, trying to copy the wizard's marking style. She had brought a few tests home and watched him grade them. She pretty much had the gist of it.

Suddenly the flames in the floo turned green.

"Severus?" the Headmaster's voice called.

Hermione's belly went cold. She had been doing a fine job of avoiding Albus and the rest of the staff…even taking all her meals in the rooms to avoid placing herself in a position of interaction. There was only one week left now.

"Yes, Headmaster?" Hermione replied.

"I would like a word, if you please," the wizard replied.

"I'll be right up, sir," Hermione said, putting down her quill and standing up. She took a deep breath, and went into cold, snarky mode, straightening her body to full height and striding over to the floo.

Hermione loved Dumbledore, and she had to make sure this warmth didn't shine through when she met with him. Severus was very reserved with others, despite how openly he talked with her. It wouldn't do to show any emotion while with the Headmaster.

Hermione stepped through the floo and into Dumbledore's office. The wizard was sitting behind the desk, his blue eyes sober behind his half-moon glasses.

"Good morning, Headmaster," Hermione said silkily.

"Good morning, Severus. Please have a seat," the wizard replied, gesturing toward the comfortable armchair sitting in front of his desk. Hermione sat down.

Suddenly, Fawkes let out a trill at Hermione in greeting, his beautiful eyes whirling. Albus turned to look at the bird, then back at Hermione.

"I don't believe I've ever hear Fawkes greet you so enthusiastically, Severus," Albus commented, looking at him intently.

Hermione shrugged.

"Maybe Fawkes is just feeling magnanimous, Headmaster," Hermione replied.

Albus nodded.

"Perhaps," he said thoughtfully. He leveled his blue eyes at Hermione.

"The reason I have summoned you here, Severus, is that I and the staff noticed you've been more withdrawn and anti-social than usual, though I thought that impossible," the wizard said. "I want to know is there anything wrong?"

Hermione looked at the old wizard.

"No, nothing is wrong Headmaster. I am just very busy with my retirement plans," she lied. "As for my absences, the staff might as well get used to it."

There. That was a Severus Snape reply if there ever was one.

Albus looked at the wizard. Severus had always been rather uncommunicative. He only spoke when he had something to say for the most part, though Albus hoped that he had others he interacted with in a more social manner. He had no problem addressing his pupils or his Slytherins. It was other adults that he didn't truly socialize with. The wizard spent too much time down in the dungeons. He hadn't even been apparating at night like he usually did. That meant his nighttime activities had been curtailed as well.

Dumbledore was aware of the Potions Master's comings and goings at Hogwarts, although he didn't know where he went. He presumed Severus was out with witches however. Albus was well aware of his licentious nature when it came to the fairer sex. If the wizard had any other interest that came close to brewing, it was fucking witches. When he stopped doing that, it was cause for worry. But if the wizard didn't want to share what was happening in his life, Dumbledore couldn't make him.

The old wizard sighed.

"Well I just want to let you know, Severus, that if you need someone to talk to, I'm here," the Headmaster said.

Hermione felt a little warmth pulse through her heart. Albus was such a kind, caring wizard. Even towards a cold-hearted bastard like Severus. But then again, he had known Severus since he was a child, and the dark wizard had served him well as a spy for many years. It made sense the Headmaster cared about the wizard. Every one needed a bit of care.

"Thank you Headmaster, but I assure you, I am fine. Now, if you don't mind, I would like to return to my study. I have tests to mark," Hermione said stiffly, rising and emulating the wizard as best she could.

"Of course," the Headmaster said, "I'm glad we had this moment to talk Severus. I was worried about you."

Hermione looked at him.

"There is no need to worry about me, Headmaster. I am fine. Good day, sir," she replied, turning with what she hoped was a decent billow of robes and striding through the floo.

Fawkes let out another trill.

Albus turned to him.

"Fawkes, I've never known you to make such a fuss over the Potions Master," the wizard said to the phoenix.

Fawkes rolled his beautiful eyes at his master.

The bird knew exactly who had been in the office, but would never tell.

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A few more days passed. The antidote was almost completed. It didn't precisely take a month, but twenty-eight days. It would be ready tonight. Yet Severus didn't know this, and Hermione was not about to tell him. She had plans to make. A seduction to complete.

On her way home from Hogwarts, she stopped by Haggleberry's Liquor and Spirits and picked up several bottles of good wine and two bottles of Ogden's Firewhiskey. Hermione didn't drink, because liquor lowered her inhibitions too much. Severus didn't know this either, and he did drink. Hermione was counting on her body to react as it normally did under the influence of alcohol. If it did, Severus would be quite susceptible to 'suggestion.'

Hermione planned to get him to engage in a celebratory drink or six, then tell him she needed to moisturize her body.

After that, things would get interesting.

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A/N: oooh. Time's approaching. I think I see the orchard ahead. No, this isn't a very long story, but all the Bang stories are rather short pwps. Plus, I don't know about you…but I'm ready for some reversed lemons. Lol. So I jumped the timeline a bit. Hey I can do that, can't I? Anyway, please review.