A Delicate Obsession

Chapter Nine – Dobby Be Very Grateful to Miss Granger

It all belongs to Rowling, except what you don’t recognize.


Dobby was cleaning up the dungeons. On the floor behind a classroom desk was something pink and frilly. Dobby picked it up. Why it was clothing! And a good thing it was Dobby on dungeon duty, because it belonged to him now, his all his. He took the knickers and stuck his nose in the crotch. The fabric was rigid from dried female human’s love essence.

“Oh, it’s you’s Miss Granger. Dobby would know that smell anywhere. Dobby has all your beeoful ful hats. Dobby do loves you Miss Granger. Dobby would marry you if you was an Elf and if Elves did wed. Dobby wishes he was a powerful wizard, then Dobby could wed you and do the nasty with you.”

He sighed. And put the knickers on his head. So much for unrequited love!

&&&

“Headmaster—” Severus gingerly sat himself down, acting as if the very seat cushion might bite him.

Dumbledore sucked on a lemon drop and looked interested. He had already decided to let his potions master make the first move.

Severus produced a parchment bearing the Slytherin seal in green wax. Dumbledore looked at it. “And this is?”

“A favor I need of you. It is a codicil to my will.”

“Surely, it belongs with your solicitor?” Dumbledore put a concerned look upon his face.

“He’s the one who drew it up for me. That’s why it is a favor. There’s a girl—“

“Ah, congratulations, I had noticed a certain spring to your step—“

“After my death, I’d like you to locate her—“

“Now, now, my boy, you don’t need to get all melodramatic on us—“

“I’ll tell her to go to you, but just in case. Her name’s Laura,” Snape reddened, “I have no last name for her, but she lives somewhere near here. And I’m not being melodramatic. I simply don’t understand how you can remain so optimistic about what is going on.” Snape stood and looked as if he was ready to leave.

Dumbledore stood as well. “If you care about her, shouldn’t you—“

“Don’t interfere, please. Just find her and give it to her on my death.” He stalked out the door.

Dumbledore shook his head. “What shall we ever do with you, Severus?” he asked of no one in particular. The portraits on his wall all frowned and shook their heads in agreement.

&&&

Saturday had finally arrived. Hermione was impatiently waiting for Snape at the teahouse. When she heard Snape enter the room she quickly went to him, only to be forestalled by a raised hand.

“I thought we might like to do something different today.” He nervously gave one of his half smiles.

“I was hoping for the same.” Hermione noticed that he was carrying a picnic basket.

“A bit of fresh air might be just the thing. Not too many good days left before winter graces us.”

Hermione was floored. Fresh air was the last thing she wanted. She felt like arguing, but she knew her teacher well enough to realize that second-guessing was not allowed. “Very well.” She said brightly.

He took her in his arms and they Apparated… to a desolate stretch of beach located below some bluffs. The wind was blowing fiercely and Hermione looked at Severus who seemed more happy than she’d ever seen him before.

He stretched out his hand towards the bluffs. “I grew up near here. We’re in Northern Yorkshire, not far from Whitby. There’s a cottage up there that my family owns. However, I’d thought we’d just stay here today.” His voice was raised to compete with the howling of the wind.

“It’s charming, but won’t sand blow in our tea cups?” Hermione felt rather unromantic at the moment. She didn’t really fancy sand in her knickers either.

Severus surprised her by putting down the basket and producing his wand. He started making markings in the sand and doing an incantation. The winds calmed and she could almost see a wavering semi-visible wall of air around them. “How’s that?” he asked.

“Much better. Elemental magic, I’m very impressed.” She sat down; without the wind it really was quite lovely. The sun was beaming down, keeping the temperature pleasant for early October. The seas were roiling a stormy grey, but she didn’t mind. It all was wonderful! And the air was quite bracing.

“Good. It’s a spell my mother taught me.” Severus produceed a large blanket from the basket and put it down on the sand. He sat down on it and patted a spot next to him. Hermione sat. “I wanted yo seo see this place. I spent a lot of time here when I was young.”

“It’s been ages since I’ve been to the coast.” Hermione took a cup of tea from Snape. She noted with pleasure that it was already fixed to her liking. She slipped off her shoes and socks and let her toes wiggle in the sand.

“I came here because we needed some privacy to talk. The problem with the teahouse is that it is still a rather public place. It’s quite willing to accommodate what you were thinking about, but it would have been risky. Sexual energies have a tendency to draw the wrong sort of attention.” Snape took off his shoes and socks. “I wish I could explain better, but the teahouse itself is a bit of a mystery. One cannot be sure how sentient it actually is.

“Here on my ancestral lands, we are well warded.” He sipped his tea and stared out at the ocean. Hermione could see his body visibly relax.

She lay down on the ground and looked up at his profile. Hermione noted again how his appearance improved when he wasn’t scowling or sneering. “What did you need to tell me?”

He looked down at her and sighed. He undid the buttons of his left sleeve and presented his inner arm to her view, revealing the Dark Mark. Hermione had to do some quick thinking. She’d known about his being a former Death Eater for years, but Laura—how should Laura react? She needed to stick as closely to the truth as possible.

“So, my friend was right. I was warned to steer clear of you. You said you weren’t going to hurt me. But here I am, miles from nowhere with a Death Eater. Well, get it over with then. If you’re going to kill me, have done with it.” She added a little quaver to her voice.

Severus looked taken aback. “No. No. That’s not my intention, Laura. How can you say that?”

“How can I not say it? It’s there on your arm. You do hate mudbloods.” She sat up and wrapped her arms around herself.

“Used to. I don’t deny it. But I told you that I’ve changed. It was a mistake from my youth.” He took her hand.

“Then why show it to me at all?” She removed her hand from his. Hermione thought she was doing a passable job. She wasn’t a good enough actress to get hysterical, though. “This isn’t necessary. I don’t care who you were. I love—” Hermione didn’t stop herself in time. She felt like she’d die from embarrassment.

Severus’ eyes lit up. Hermione turned away from him, mortified that she’d finally said it. He put his arms around her and brought her onto his lap. “Do you love me, Laura? I thought I’d never hear those words again from a beautiful woman,” he silkily whispered in her ear.

She leaned back and sighed. It felt so good to be there in his arms.

He bent over her and nuzzled her neck. “Laura, my Laura.” Taking her chin in his hand, he kissed her.

tbc


A/N: Thanks for the idea, Ezmerelda! Of course, we couldn’t have Sev find the undies-- ::April heads off to make lemonade for the next chapter::

Many thanks to my reviewers: Karena Elizabeth, Jen, Adora, Ezmerelda, and TeaRoses. You all are just great!!!!