CHAPTER 9
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 9 ~ In the Devil’s Lair
When Hermione turned in her two-week notice to Preston’s Spells and Potions, her supervisor, Boris Craftsman didn’t take it well at all. Hermione was the most talented and faster worker he had, and often corrected errors that the Development had overlooked in their spells and potions right in the processing line without any credit. By rights, she should have been promoted several times over, but since she didn’t press the issue, it was more cost-effective to keep her in the position she was in while taking advantage of her expertise. She did get her annual raises and an occasional bonus but wasn’t earning near to what she should have been.
“Haven’t we treated you well here?” Boris asked her, red-faced as he shook the notice at Hermione.
The gray-haired, whiskery wizard was livid. How dare she leave?
”Yes, I’ve been treated fine Boris, but everyone moves on,” Hermione replied, very surprised at her supervisor’s reaction. Plenty of employees put in notice and Boris had always been accepting of it.
“What? Do you need more money? A raise? Would a raise make you stay?” Boris asked her, calculating the least amount of galleons he could offer.
“A raise would have been nice, but no…my situation is that I must go,” Hermione replied, not wanting to give her supervisor the details.
“Did another company offer you more money or perks? A higher position. I’m sure we could match their offer given enough time,” Boris said, his voice almost pleading.
“No Boris,” Hermione said, taking a deep breath. She had to tell him the truth so he would just accept her resignation.
“I am going into private research. I have a patron now,” the witch said.
“A patron?” Boris asked, his brown eyes sweeping over the witch now. He knew what patronage entailed.
Hermione nodded.
Boris sighed. He had hoped this day wouldn’t come. He had always known Hermione was too talented for the private sector, but since she hadn’t taken a patron, he had hoped she’d stay with them. She was cheap, but extremely talented labor. There was nothing the company could offer her that would be equal to patronage.
“Have you already been bound to your patron?” he asked.
“Yes. We are bound,” Hermione said, blushing a bit.
Boris took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes a moment before replacing them.
“Very well. Then there is nothing more to be said,” he said glumly. Losing Hermione was going to be costly to the company. They would have to add staff to quality control now. Profits would drop considerably.
“You will be sorely missed,” he said to the witch.
“Thank you, Boris,” Hermione replied.
Boris’ higher-ups were not happy when they heard Hermione Granger was leaving their employ and told Boris to offer her a large promotion to keep her. They were livid when they found out she had taken on a patron. Boris was directed to tell Development to send their most difficult spells and potions through before Hermione left, so she could help fix them before her departure.
Hermione worked very hard those last two weeks, staying after hours at Boris’ request and finding the work full of glaring errors which she corrected. It didn’t take her long to figure out they were trying to work her to death before she left. Finally Hermione told Boris she would no longer do any overtime. The supervisor couldn’t blame her and besides, she was leaving anyway so he couldn’t coerce her with threats of dismissal. He was glad for the work she had done however, and thanked her.
Hermione sold all the furniture in her flat to the landlord at a good deal, packed up her clothing, books and research, sent them ahead and prepared to depart to her patron’s home, located in Shropshire.
The witch walked to the door of her flat, turned around and took a final look at her home of four years. Her life was about to change dramatically and although she was apprehensive, she felt excited too. Soon she would have access to knowledge few had ever had a chance to study, and the freedom to follow her own heart.
More than that, she could now focus on restoring Harry, and that was the most important aspect of this new situation. Yes, she had to make some concessions, but she felt she could live with them. A bit of detached, intermittent sex with a glacial wizard was worth the life of her friend. Hermione had decided she wouldn’t even think about that aspect of her patronage until she was actually faced with it.
With a final glance at her former home, Hermione Granger closed the door and stepped into her new life.
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She arrived at Severus’ home and was surprised to see it was a rather pretty little house. She expected something dark and ragged, with gaping window eye-holes, barren lawn and bats swooping around the chimney. That seemed more in line with the snarky Potions Master. But the house was painted a pretty shade of blue, with a white and blue porch and a swing. The lawn was immaculate, and there were even flowering bushes planted close to the house. Hermione could see a well-kept herb garden on the side of the house. It sat on a half acre of land with no close neighbors. She wasn’t surprised about that. The Potions Master was a private man after all. A low white picket fence encircled the house and Hermione felt magic wash over her when she opened the gate. Obviously it was warded to keep the unwanted visitor out and attuned to her signature.
She walked up the steps to the front door which suddenly opened. A smiling, bobbing house elf stood in the doorway.
“Welcome! Welcome Miss! My name is Eli and it is my pleasure to serves you!” the little green elf said, showing all his sharp little teeth. “Please comes in.”
He opened the door wide and Hermione walked in, a bit stunned at the joyous welcome. The elf seemed very happy she was here.
Eli smiled as she walked by. At last, a live person to serve…no more empty house and days spent repetitively cleaning an already clean domicile. Now he would have someone to cook and wash for, maybe even assist from time to time. Plus, the witch’s presence would mean his Master would be home more frequently. At least that was what Eli hoped.
Severus had taken Eli from the Dark Lord’s fortress after the wizard’s demise. All of the elves there were unhappy, but at least they had a Master. The worse thing in the world to a house elf was to be without work and Masterless. Dumbledore kindly took in the rest of the elves, though he didn’t bind them to Hogwarts. Instead, they were free to work there until they found their own masters. It at least kept them busy and gave them a choice of who to serve.
Eli was extremely grateful to Severus, who didn’t really interact with the elf, but still he was fiercely loyal to the Potions Master. He took excellent care of his home, keeping it bright and airy despite the wizard’s disposition. Eli felt it wasn’t good for him to be in the dark all the time, so kept the house accordingly.
When Eli arrived, the house was nearly as dank as Hermione imagined, the lawn unkempt, paint peeling, the porch bent and broken in places….weeds abounding. In a week’s time Eli made it lovely. Severus was taken aback and started to complain, but Eli countered with he was a house elf and needed to work and the house was a big work. Severus accepted this. It wasn’t as if he was going to be here all the time, besides…though he wouldn’t admit it, the house was rather warm and comfortable. It almost made him feel…well…human.
Of course that made it more imperative he spend time away from it.
Hermione entered the house and looked around. The living room was painted white and furnished in mostly silver and green, definitely a Slytherin domain. There were three large windows, a sofa with extra cushions, two large plush armchairs and of course, a fireplace. A large ornate desk with parchments and quills occupied one corner of the room, and potted plants abounded as well as muggle landscapes of the sea.
“I never expected the Potions Master would have such a pleasant home,” Hermione breathed, looking around.
“Eli thinks he never expected it either, Miss,” the elf grinned at her. “Not always like this, Miss. Was dismal. Very, very dismal. But everything needs light. Even the Master.”
Personally Hermione thought if the Professor was in sunlight too long he’d burst into flame like a vampire, but she kept that to herself.
“Where are my things, Eli?” she asked the elf.
“This way, Miss,” Eli replied, leading her down a hallway. There was a bathroom and three bedrooms. Eli entered the first bedroom on the left. “This is yours, Miss.”
Hermione looked around. She had a king-sized four-poster bed, a dressing table, wardrobe, walk-in closet, a small bookshelf lined with her books, and her own bathroom. The bed was covered in Gryffindor colored bedding and a small Gryffindor crest hung on the wall. A clock with a lion in the center and moving hour and minute paws hung over the bedroom door. This had to be the elf’s doing. Hermione was sure Severus would never have approved this. The walls were richly paneled with gleaming wood. Hermione opened the wardrobe and found her clothing and shoes placed neatly inside. She pulled out the drawers and her delicates and socks were also folded and put away.
She turned to Eli.
“Did you do this?” she asked.
“Of course. It was a service. I unpacks your things and puts them up,” the elf replied.
“Well thank you,” Hermione said smiling at the elf.
Eli beamed.
The witch walked into her bathroom and found a large sunken marble tub with several spigots encircling it, a vanity with two basins, a medicinal potions store and a large lighted mirror. There was also a large translucent glass enclosed shower, and a pantry for washcloths and towels. All of her personal supplies had been put away.
Well, her accommodations were very nice.
Eli showed her the rest of the house. The kitchen was neatly kept, had a large stove, cooler and numerous cooking utensils of all types. A large pantry held a number of dried and canned food, condiments and pastas.
“I will cooks and serves all your meals,” Eli explained, “You just has to tell me what you likes and I will makes it. Or else Eli will surprise you. I is your servant while you is under my Master’s patronage and knows what you likes. Whatever you needs, I will provides.”
“Thank you Eli,” Hermione said, still not comfortable with having a house elf serve her.
“You will gets used to me, Miss,” Eli said, smiling at her.
Hermione looked at him.
“How did you know I was uncomfortable with being served this way, Eli?” she asked the elf.
“It is my job to know Miss. I am your servant,” the elf replied. “But you will gets used to it.”
Eli led her to a door and opened it. A stairwell led down.
“Your labs,” the elf said, gesturing to Hermione to go down. Torches lit automatically as she carefully navigated the wooden stairs. There were two doors side by side at the bottom. Hermione opened one door to find almost an exact replica of Severus’ lab at Hogwarts, full of potions utensils, and a locked potions stores. Hermione was tempted to try and unward it, but decided against it. The stores might be booby-trapped. She would have to wait for Severus to come and open it, or adjust the wards to her signature.
She exited that lab and entered the other. It was a mostly empty room, with a large blackboard, desk in the corner and long counter. Perfect for Spells work. So the Potions Master provided her with separate labs to work with, depending on what field she was concentrating on. It was almost…thoughtful. It would have been if the Professor wasn’t expecting to make a profit off her work. Basically he was trying to accommodate her so she could churn out work without much difficulty.
“Do you find the labs satisfactory?” a silky voice asked her.
Hermione spun to see the Potions Master standing in the doorway, his black eyes resting on her. There was a slight gleam in them.
“Yes. In fact the entire house is rather nice. I’m surprised,” she replied, “You’re the darkest fixture in here.”
The Potions Master stared at her a moment, then said, “I definitely agree with your observation, Miss Granger. Now, accompany me upstairs. There is a matter we need to…discuss.”
Hermione shrugged and walked past the Potions Master without commenting and took the stairs. The Potions Master closed the lab door and silently followed after her.
Eli was waiting for them in the living room. He had let Hermione enter the labs alone and when Severus arrived, was delighted to see him. Severus looked down at the elf.
“You may go, Eli,” he said to the elf, whose ears flattened. He had hoped to be in his Master’s presence longer.
“Yes, Master,” he said, giving Hermione a furtive glance before winking out to his cupboard.
“Where did he go?” Hermione asked.
“To his cupboard,” the Potions Master said. “So I take it you find my home livable.”
“Yes, very,” Hermione said.
“Good,” the Potions Master said, starting to unbutton his robes.
“What are you doing?” Hermione asked him.
Getting comfortable. My robes will get in the way,” he replied, looking at her somberly.
“In the way of what?” Hermione asked, a cold feeling in her belly.
“You,” he replied, “I’ve decided to exercise my right as your patron.”
Hermione blanched.
“But…but you said it would occur rarely,” the witch said in a low voice as she watched his fingers move slowly and deliberately down the front of his robes.
“And it will. Rarely has nothing to do with when. I’ve decided I need to see if we are even…compatible. It could be that I do not find you arousing enough to even get pleasure from you. In that case, Miss Granger…you won’t have to worry about me at all,” he replied, slipping off his robes. He held his wand in one hand.
Hermione saw that all he wore beneath his robes were a pair of black silk boxers, his black socks and boots. He was lean, but surprisingly fit. His body seemed much younger than he appeared. There was a sparse sprinkling of hair on his sinewy arms and long legs, his torso and ribbed abdomen hairless, but a rather thick line of straight black hair led from under his navel under his boxers. He didn’t appear to be aroused however. His boxers weren’t the least bit tented. The Potions Master was very pale, his skin like alabaster. His dark eyes rested on Hermione, watching for her reaction.
“But…but I’m not ready,” Hermione said, her eyes wide.
“Don’t worry about that. There are magical ways to make you ready,” the wizard said, stepping closer to her and leaning down, sniffing her hair. His face contorted.
“Your hair smells of jasmine,” he said, “From here on out you will not use any scent on your hair or body. I have a sensitive nose and prefer the smell of a body unadorned by masking scents.”
Severus flicked his wand at Hermione’s hair, then sniffed it again. He still frowned and gave it another flick. He sniffed it again, the witch trying not to cringe as he invaded her space.
“Not all gone, but bearable,” he said, stepping back and looking Hermione up and down before glancing around the room. His eyes fell on the sofa.
“Over here,” he said, walking behind the sofa.
Hermione stared at him, unmoving.
Severus pointed his wand at her.
“Accio wand,” he said.
Hermione gasped as her wand flew out of her pocket and into the wizard’s hand. He placed it on the end table next to the sofa. Then he pointed his wand again.
“Accio, Hermione Granger,” he purred.
With a shriek, Hermione flew into the wizard’s arms. She started to struggle and suddenly found it very hard to breathe. She clutched at her throat.
“Stop struggling,” Severus hissed, “The discomfort will pass.”
Hermione did as he said and soon could breathe again.
“What did you do to me?” she asked accusingly.
“Nothing. You are bound to me by magic similar to a wizarding oath. Anytime you try to squirm your way out of the terms agreed to, you will suffer discomfort just as you would if you tried to break a wizarding oath,” Severus said, pulling the witch back against him. “It is best if you just comply. You can’t get away from me.”
“Oh fuck,” Hermione breathed, relaxing against the wizard. She still didn’t feel an erection however, only his hard body pressed against her back.
“Now, bend over the couch,” the Professor instructed.
“What? The couch?” she said, outraged.
“Yes the couch. We don’t need to go through all the trouble of getting in bed for this tryst. Besides, for what I am going to do to you, this is the perfect position…”
Hermione started to protest but Severus cut her off.
“And this does not qualify as ‘weirdness.’ It is a common copulation method. Couches, tables, walls, etc. So bend,” he breathed.
Hermione felt her breath growing short again. Damn the magic that bound them. She bent over the couch and felt the Potions Master lift her robes over her back, then make a noise of disgust.
“Jeans,” he muttered, then “Divesto!”
Suddenly Hermione felt cool air on her ass. The wizard had removed her jeans and knickers. She still had on her socks and trainers however. Damn, he didn’t even want her naked.
Hermione felt him press his wand against her rectum and mutter a spell. A foaming sensation filled her bowels. Her eyes widened.
“No!” she yelled, trying to raise up, but the Potions Master held her down with one pale hand. Hermione wasn’t very strong.
“You told me you weren’t a virgin,” he purred.
“Well…well I am there!” Hermione cried, wriggling. Now the Professor’s erection began to grow as he watched her smooth ass swing from side to side.
“Hold still,” he hissed at her, and once again Hermione felt the sensation of her breath being taken away and fell still. Once again the wizard placed the tip of his wand against her rectum.
“Lubris. Lubris,” he breathed.
Hermione felt liquid flow inside her, making her feel rather slick inside. She felt Severus’ hand slide from the middle of her back to her waist.
“Petrificus Partialus,” he breathed. Suddenly Hermione couldn’t move her hips.
“No! You can’t do this!” she cried.
Severus gave a little smirk as he lowered his boxers around his thighs and pulled out his thick, long cock, stroking it gently and leaning over Hermione so his lips rested against her ear.
“Believe it or not, Miss Granger, I cast this spell so you will not injure yourself attempting to get away from me. The magic that binds us will not come into play in this instance, because your attempt to escape me will be a natural reaction to getting your ass reamed for the first time, and not blatant disobedience. It will hurt enough without your struggles adding to your pain. So what I did was an act of mercy,” he said softly.
“A real act of mercy would be not to do this,” she said, a sob in her voice.
Severus remembered his stint with Fabio’s head.
“I’m not that merciful,” the wizard replied, letting his warm breath waft over the distraught witch’s ear before straightening and positioning himself for entry, resting the huge head of his cock against her dripping puckerhole. Hermione gasped at the feel of his hard flesh pressing against her and closed her eyes.
“Welcome to my home, Miss Granger,” he purred, thrusting forward with a grunt.
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A/N: Oh man…oh man. I can’t even comment on this besides saying Severus is just plain wicked. Whew. Please review, ya’ll.