CHAPTER 7
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 7 ~ A Few Ground Rules
First, Hermione and Severus hashed out the specifics of the tests.
“I need a spell that will simplify my brewing processes in a significant manner. How it works is up to you, but I need more time so I can work on more than one or two elixirs. That will be your first test and you will have thirty days to create it. The second test will be to use that spell in brewing a potion of my choosing. I assure you it will not be a simple one,” Severus said.
Thirty days? That was hardly any time…but Hermione knew the Potions Master wouldn’t budge on it. He was also testing her quickness as well as her skill and intelligence.
“When I develop the spell,” Hermione countered, “I receive full residuals for it since I am not yet under your patronage.”
Severus shook his head.
“Since I have given you the idea to develop such a spell I insist on receiving some residuals for my input,” the Potions Master replied.
“Thirty/Seventy, my favor,” Hermione bargained.
“No,” Severus said firmly, “Sixty/Forty in your favor, the same as I will collect when and if you become my sponsoree.”
Hermione agreed to this. It was fair.
“But my research for Harry’s condition takes precedence over any other work,” she said shrewdly.
“That’s fine, as long as there is a cap on the time spent. At least one third of your time should be spent researching potions,” the Potions Master said, “I believe that is more than fair. I expect you to keep a journal of all of your work and how your time is spent, which will be duplicated at the end of my patronage and given to me for my own records.”
Hermione frowned at him.
“All right, but I reserve the rights to that journal. It cannot be published without my consent, in part or entirety,” the witch said.
Severus’ eyes glittered. If the witch did manage to repair Harry’s soul, she could be on the brink of restoring individuals who had their souls completely taken. In that case, her research would be a valuable commodity. She was wise to include such a condition. He wouldn’t fight her on it.
“Done, but the percentage of sales would be sixty/forty your favor,” the Professor said. He wasn’t going to miss out on a single galleon the witch could generate.
“Fine,” Hermione said, taking a deep breath as she prepared to breach the more sensitive issues. “Now as far as the physical aspects of our relationship…sex between us should be once a month.”
Severus scowled at her.
“There has never been a limit set on the amount of times a patron can utilize the physical aspects of patronage, witch. It won’t start now. I will not be curtailed. I have told you that I am not a very carnal wizard. My conjugal visitations will more than likely be few and far between. I will not change tradition for you,” he said darkly.
Hermione stared at him. Shit. It had been worth a try.
“Inversely, are you are virgin, Miss Granger?” he asked her, his eyes sweeping over her.
It was Hermione’s turn to scowl.
“Professor, I am twenty-six years old. Of course I’m not a virgin,” she replied, coloring a bit.
“Have you had many partners?” he asked her. “And do you have partners now? I don’t want to fuck the entire wizarding world when I do indulge myself.”
Hermione wanted to tell him it was none of his business. But they had to communicate to make this work.
“No. Not many. Three. And I am not currently involved with anyone right now,” she answered, frowning at the wizard’s invasion of her privacy.
“That is good. You will not engage with any other wizards while under my patronage,” Severus said firmly.
“What? And what if I feel the need for male companionship?” she asked the Potions Master bristling.
“Then you will either take the matter in hand or purchase a suitable sexual stimulator to take care of your randiness. I will not be your personal stud service. You are already receiving the brunt of the benefits here. I will not include my cock or stud service as one of them,” he said evenly.
“Like I’d pick a cold, hard wizard like you for stud service,” Hermione said under her breath. How dare he tell her she would have to masturbate to relieve herself?
“Hot and hard would be a better description of me in a situation such as you are describing,” the wizard said straight-faced. “Regardless, that is a condition of this agreement. Remember your precious Harry.”
“That is distinctly unfair. I am available for you anytime you feel the need, whereas I cannot seek out relief with someone more palatable for myself,” she spat at him.
Severus gave her a small smirk.
“Fair or not, Miss Granger…this is how it will be. I am not into either STDs or sloppy seconds. This will assure me that I will not be receiving either. Now, will I have to apply a chastity spell on you or will you be able to handle this? There are ways to tell if you have indulged another wizard and I will always check,” Severus said, his eyes narrowed.
Three lovers weren’t much if the witch was telling the truth about her sexual history, but he needed to be sure she would remain pristine while under his care.
“Fine,” Hermione said, “I don’t need a chastity spell, thank you. But in return…I don’t want to have to go through any weirdness with you. Straight sex only.”
Severus considered her.
“What do you mean by “weirdness?” he asked her.
Hermione colored.
“Just…weird,” she said lamely.
Severus smiled inwardly. It seemed Miss Granger was telling the truth about her sexual limitations. She seemed a bit…repressed. He sighed.
“Miss Granger…you will not dictate how I take my sexual pleasure of you. As far as ‘weird’ goes, I promise on the rare occasion I do dally with you, I will not viciously strike you or mutilate you. Whatever discomfort you feel, if any, will be normal for the act. That is the best I can tell you. You will not curtail me before I even touch you,” the wizard said, his face sober.
Hermione noticed there was not even the slightest inkling of lust or desire on the Potions Master’s face despite the topic they were discussing. He might as well be talking about the procedure for brewing a potion. Most likely sex with the wizard would be quite clinical, emotionless and cold. It was Hermione’s turn to sigh. She really couldn’t argue with him about this if she wanted his cooperation concerning those books.
“Fine. But as my patron, you are also my mentor by virtue of your knowledge. If I come to you with questions, I expect you to answer them,” the witch said, “and not in riddles either. Straight response.”
“I will only help you if I see you are truly backed against a wall. Your intelligence is why I am interested in being your patron. I will not spend my time telling you what you should be able to figure out for yourself. I am not your Professor in this instance, Miss Granger,” Severus replied coldly. “I am your enabler.”
Hermione sighed. She had hoped to take advantage of his knowledge. It would be an uphill battle…but she’d be damned if he didn’t tell her how to handle the books of Dark Magic.
“Concerning those Dark Books of yours, I expect you to warn me of any and all potential dangers in using them. Especially physical danger,” Hermione said, her eyes narrowing.
“I see my godson doesn’t know how to keep his mouth shut. I was looking forward to you learning a harsh lesson about dabbling in Dark Magic. But since you know, I will tell you how to handle each book you are interested in when the time comes. You must come to me first. But again, all this depends on whether or not you can pass my tests and gain my patronage. There is a distinct possibility you will fail as you’ve done with the rest of your life,” the wizard said snarkily.
Hermione glowered at him.
“My life is nowhere near over…it will take the sum total of it to decide whether I am a failure or not, Professor…and at this point in time I do not consider myself one, despite your opinion of me. I will pass your tests, and I will find a way to restore Harry,” she said firmly.
“Ah, that Gryffindor boasting,” the wizard purred, “How much I’ve missed the pompousness of it.”
”It’s not boasting. It’s faith,” Hermione replied, standing up.
It was time to go.
“Return in thirty days with the completed spell and be prepared to demonstrate it,” the Potions Master said.
“Don’t worry. It will be completed,” she replied heading for the door.
Severus discreetly pulled out his wand and hit her with a subtle hex as her back was turned. She didn’t even feel it.
“Until next we meet, Miss Granger,” Severus said, not even rising as she opened the door.
“Yes, when next we meet, Professor,” the witch replied, exiting.
Severus smirked. Wait until Hermione realized he’d hexed her. Surely the witch didn’t think she would leave his presence unscathed after hexing his familiar right off his shoulder. If she did, she was sadly mistaken.
Severus rose, stretched then headed for his study to check on Raucous and let him know he had been avenged.
No one fucked with what was his.
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As Hermione walked through Hogwarts, she was met with many curious stares from the students. She didn’t meet up with any staff members as she exited the castle. She simply attributed the stares to her being a stranger and thought no more about it.
Before she went home, she stopped in Diagon Alley to browse the bookshop. Again, she was getting stares and people whispered as they walked by her, looking back at her oddly. The witch began to feel a bit self-conscious. Why was everyone looking at her? The last straw came when a little boy of about five pointed at her and said, “Mum! Look at the Blue lady!”
“Come along son,” the witch replied, coloring and rushing by Hermione.
Hermione darted into the shop’s loo and looked in the mirror, then gasped. Her hair and her face matched her blue robes perfectly. She looked like some kind of alien with her amber eyes and white teeth.
“Professor Snape,” she hissed at her image.
She pulled out her wand and tried to scourgify the hex off. Nothing happened. He must have put his signature on the spell. She would have to work on it when she got home. She used her wand to add a hood to her robes and pulled it over her head. She exited the loo and walked through the shop, clutching the hood around her face closely. Now she looked as if she were hiding something. As she walked down the street towards the public apparition point…two Aurors noticed her and started following. The witch was obviously trying to hide her face. Maybe she was wanted for something illegal.
As Hermione approached the apparition point, an Auror grabbed her arm. Reflexively she went to draw her wand and found it pinned by the other Auror.
“All right now, let’s see what you’re hiding under this hood, witch,” one of the Auror’s said with gritted teeth, drawing down her hood.
Both Auror’s mouths dropped open as they looked at the blue-faced witch.
“Blimey,” one swore.
“What happened to you? Going to a masquerade or something?” the other Auror asked Hermione.
“Someone hexed me…as a joke,” Hermione replied, highly embarrassed as a curious crowd began to gather.
Both Aurors chuckled.
“Whoever it was got you good. You’re absolutely freakish,” the first Auror said, as he and his partner let Hermione go. “Can’t you fix it?”
“No, at least not until I get home,” she spat at them. The crowd was laughing now and Hermione’s face turned purple because of her blushing. This made the people howl even louder. “Can I go please?”
“Sure you can, blue witch,” one of the Aurors quipped. Both broke into laughter as Hermione pulled up her hood again and pushed her way through the crowd, people yanking at her hood as she passed. Finally she made it to the apparition point and disapparated. She was furious.
She returned to her flat and let herself in, cursing Severus Snape with every foul name she could think of. What a rotten thing to do. He could have at least hexed her with something she could feel. The fuck.
Hermione removed her robes and walked into her bathroom. She spent the next three hours working on the hex before she finally broke it and restored her natural hair and skin color.
“I’m going to get him for this,” she seethed as she got ready for bed.
“What a sneaky, dirty, conniving bastard!”
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A/N: A very interesting negotiation chapter. And lol at the hex he put on Hermione before she departed. She should have known the Potions Master wouldn’t let her get away with hexing Raucous. Pretty funny. Anyway, please review. This review board is fully functional. Only old ones that are repeatedly targeted for spam have been closed. Thanks.