Becoming Familiar with a Man of Misery

Chapter 58 ~ Two Kinds of Admissions

Severus arrived on the university campus at precisely ten o’clock, apparating directly in front of the Administration building. He strode inside, straight to the counter. The assistant took care of him immediately.

“Good morning, Professor Snape. You can go right in. The Dean is expecting you,” she said, gesturing toward the Dean’s office. Severus nodded and walked to the door, opening it without knocking and striding in.

Dean Wankton looked up at him startled. He had two folders on his desk. Severus could see the name “Granger” scrawled across the top of each.

“Good morning, Professor,” the Dean said, his face rather white as he addressed the wizard. Severus ignored his greeting and took a seat.

“Those are Hermione’s transcripts and transfer papers?” he asked, leaning forward and reaching out his hand for them.

“Yes,” the Dean replied, passing him both folders.

The Dean watched nervously as Severus carefully read Hermione’s transcripts. The dark wizard nodded to himself several times, his eyebrows rising now and then. Then he closed the transcripts and looked at the transfer papers. He closed those too and looked at the Dean.

“All appears to be in order,” Severus said evenly.

“She was quite an extraordinary student,” the Dean said regretfully. “Would you at least tell me where she is transferring to?”

Severus looked at him.

“Golpalott University,” the wizard replied. The Dean gasped.

Golpalott University was a small, private and very prestigious university where only twenty to twenty-five percent of applicants were accepted. The major degrees the university offered were in the fields Potions, Charms, Spell-making and Magical Liberal Arts. It offered associative degrees in Transfiguration and Healing as well and was well known for its independent study programs. It was Severus’ Alma Mater, though much of his degree was acquired through life experience credits. The then current Dean was well aware of Severus’ double role in the ranks of Voldemort, and a special, clandestine dispensation was made for the Potions Master to graduate with full honors from the prestigious institution. Not even a tenth of the current Potions Masters could claim such an honor. Now Hermione would be attending. One of the few witches to ever walk those hallowed halls.

The university’s namesake, Golpalott, created Galpalott’s Third Law, a lesson taught in every potions class today. That law states: “The antidote for a blended poison will be equal to more than the sum of the antidotes for each of the separate components.” He was considered a mover and shaker in the field of Potions in his day, and left a great legacy behind.

The Dean was quite impressed with Hermione’s placement as well as bemoaned the fact that the university was losing such a brilliant, brilliant student. He decided to try to convince Severus to give them one more chance.

“Professor Snape, I do wish you would reconsider. Miss Granger is a credit to…” he began.

Severus held up his hand, scowling at the Dean.

“If you say it, Dean, I swear I will assault you,” he seethed.

The Dean shut up quickly. Severus stood and exited the office without a word, folders in tow.

He exited the Administration building as was about to disapparate when someone called him.

“Professor Snape? May I have a word please?”

Severus turned to see a rather pretty woman in teaching robes approaching him. He scowled.

The witch walked up to him.

“My name, sir is Professor Elena Tacturn. I am…er…was Miss Granger’s Arithmancy teacher,” she told him.

Severus folded his arms.

“One of the Professors who actively pressured my fiancée to withdraw from university to become a scullery maid,” he said coldly.

The witch looked at him.

“I am so sorry about that Professor. I assure you I did not want to do it, but was pressured into it by the other Professors, and even the Dean himself wouldn’t do anything to stop it when I went to him in protest. I’ve only been here two years, Professor and he reminded me I didn’t have tenure. I was in danger of losing my job if I didn’t comply. A termination on my work record would make it difficult for me to find employment elsewhere sir. Miss Granger is a brilliant witch, and with or without you should have been allowed to complete her degree unhampered. Having a child is not a crime, sir, and too many women have been cut off because of choosing to bear a child without its father rather than abort it. Many great minds and talents are going to waste…” the witch said vehemently. Then she caught herself and looked up at the pale wizard.

“I guess what I really want is to let Miss Granger know how sorry I am for contributing to her pain,” she said softly.

Severus studied the young Professor solemnly. He understood what it was to be pressured into doing something that went against your personal beliefs for your own survival. If Professor Tacturn did not comply with the other professors, she may have been replaced on staff and turned out of the university. It was obvious the witch empathized with women who found themselves in the situation Hermione was. He drew in a breath.

“I will relay the message to her, Professor Tacturn,” Severus said evenly. “You may want to send her an owl and let her know yourself.”

“Do you think she would accept it?” the witch asked him.

“She will read it. As far as accepting it, only she knows the answer to that, Professor. All you can do is make the attempt,” he said. “Now, if you will excuse me.”

Severus disapparated.

Professor Tacturn stared at the spot the Potions Master had occupied a moment, full of remorse. If she had any other recourse, she would leave this damn school. She wiped her eyes, turned and walked back toward her office. She had a class in half an hour.

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Severus apparated to Golpalott University and stood there for a moment admiring the rolling, tree-covered campus. A large lake was visible in the distance, and walking paths snaked through the area. Stone tables were scattered throughout the landscape. The buildings were made of gray stone, stately and vine-covered, having been established several centuries ago. Hermione would love it here. The library itself would drive her to conniptions and there were many collaborative research opportunities to be had as well.

He entered the Administration building and walked to down the hall to the enrollment office. An older witch in half-moon classes looked up at him from over a muggle typewriter. The only difference was she had been in the process of dictating to it, the machine typing out word for word.

“May I help you sir?” she asked, then looked down with a frown as the typewriter typed her greeting.

“Oh bother,” she said, pulling the parchment out of the machine with a scowl. She sat it beside the machine, and walked up to the counter. She peered at the Potions Master.

“Yes, I would like to have a student transferred to this institution,” he said, handing the witch Hermione’s transcript and transfer papers.

The witch’s eyebrows went up in surprise. It was hard enough to be accepted to Golpalott and next to impossible to transfer from another school.

She cleared her throat.

“You are aware, sir, that it is quite difficult for students to transfer to our institution. Some say we are selective to a fault,” the witch said, trying to prepare the dark wizard for a letdown.

“Yes, I am quite aware of this, Madam. I myself am a graduate of this illustrious institution, and am prepared to add my recommendation that this particular student be accepted. She is quite exemplary,” he replied.

The witch’s eyes washed over him.

“Your name sir?” she asked him.

“Professor Severus Snape,” he replied.

Her eyes widened.

“The Professor Severus Snape?” she breathed.

Severus scowled slightly.

“Unless another graduate by the same name has passed through these halls, Madame, I can safely assume I am he,” he responded a bit snarkily.

The witch smiled at him broadly.

“Please have a seat, Professor. I will take these back to an admissions advisor immediately,” she gushed.

Severus smirked and took a seat. Evidently he was not forgotten. Him nor his annual contribution to the school.

After only about five minutes, Severus was asked to accompany the clerk back to the offices and she led him to a small office where a smiling middle-aged witch stood and greeted him, shaking his hand firmly and offering him a seat. She had bluish hair and wore a somber, black robe. Her eyes were green and kind, though there was a sharpness to them that the Potions Master noticed immediately.

“Good morning, Professor Snape,” she said smiling at him and sitting down, “It is an honor to meet one of our most notable graduates. My name is Grizelda Hummingsford.”

“Miss Hummingsford,” Severus said inclining his head slightly as he settled in the chair in front of her desk. He watched as the witch looked over Hermione’s transcript, her eyebrows rising and falling much as his had when he perused Hermione’s marks.

“My, she is quite exemplary, Professor Snape,” Grizelda said, looking up at him, “but what I am wondering is why she is transferring in her last year? And why you are here and not Miss Granger?”

The admissions clerk was quite sharp.

“May I be frank, Miss Hummingsford?” Severus asked her.

“Most certainly,” she replied.

Severus proceeded to tell the admissions clerk Hermione’s situation and how the staff and administration of the college treated her. By the time he finished, Miss Hummingsford was near bursting with indignation for the brilliant witch.

“Dean Wankton is an ass,” she stated firmly. “A chauvinistic, archaic, bigoted ass. It’s because of attitudes like his so many brilliant and promising witches and their children are held back. People who might make exciting advances in the magical fields if given half a chance.”

She clucked her tongue and looked at Hermione’s transcripts again.

“She needs to be approved by the board, but I see no reason not to set her up. She will most certainly be accepted with these marks, hours and letters of recommendation. Let’s see how soon we can get her in here,” Grizelda said, her face frowning in concentration.

Severus smirked. He knew he had found an ally.

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Hermione was sitting expectantly on the couch when Severus finally flooed in. His arms were full of parchments. He deposited them on the desk, then turned to the witch. Hermione’s belly was well rounded now. She was just entering her third trimester. She was wearing a large white maternity shirt and stretchy blue pants. There were some little stains on her shirt, probably from her eating. He noted she was barefoot and her ankles were swollen.

He looked over the parchments he had dropped and picked up a folded one, walked over to Hermione, leaned down and kissed her, resting his hand on her belly for a moment and rubbing it gently before straightening, looking down at her.

“So tell me, Severus…what happened? What did you do?” she asked him.

“Well, first I have to tell you, Hermione, you are officially withdrawn from university,” he said softly.

Hermione’s face fell, and tears filled her eyes. She knew it would probably happen. Severus was quite a force to deal with, but this injustice was just stronger than he was. She had worked so hard, and now…she had nothing to show for it.

Severus let Hermione immerse herself in self-pity for a few moments. He had a wicked streak still. Then he held out the parchment and waved it under her nose.

“And officially enrolled here,” he said.

Hermione looked up at him for a moment and snatched the parchment from his hand. Her amber eyes skimmed it, then bugged out alarmingly as she read the name of the school. She looked up at him in disbelief.

“Golpalott? I’m enrolled in Golpalott?? Severus, do you have any idea how difficult it is to be accepted into this university, much less transferred in? It has to be one of the most prestigious schools in the wizarding world!” she said, her voice quavering with disbelief.

“I am somewhat aware, being that the school is my Alma Mater,” he replied, his black eyes twinkling.

“Are you sure they’ll accept me?” she asked him. The Potions Master gestured toward the desk.

“The paperwork is all there. Go take a look,” he said.

He helped Hermione up from the couch and she walked as quickly as she could over to the desk. The Potions Master noted she was starting to get a rather rolling gait. He grinned slightly as she sat down and began reading over the parchments. After about fifteen minutes of silence, Hermione put the paperwork down and looked up at him, her eyes shining.

“You did this for me. You used your influence,” she said quietly.

The Potions Master felt his chest tighten at the love he saw in her eyes. He cleared his throat uncomfortably.

“Hermione, all the influence in the world couldn’t have gotten you through those doors if you didn’t have the marks for it. You are truly exemplary, my dear. You got yourself in,” he said.

Hermione rose from her chair and walked toward him.

“I wouldn’t have thought of trying to get into Golpalott,” she said softly as she wrapped her arms around his waist. “I wouldn’t have thought of transferring at all, I was so depressed. Thank you, Severus. I love you so much.”

She pulled him down and gave him the sweetest, most passionate kiss he could ever remember receiving from her. He was breathless when she finally broke it. Hermione took his hand.

“Come on,” she said, leading him into the bedroom.

“Don’t you want to know what happened at the university?” he asked her, even as he felt himself hardening.

“You can tell me later,” she replied softly, “right now I have something else on my mind. You.”

Severus followed the witch like a lamb to slaughter. Hermione closed the door and led him over to the bed, where she sat down on the edge and pulled the wizard toward her. She began to unbutton the lower part of his robes.

“Hermione,” Severus breathed, realizing what she was about to do.

“Shhh, Severus. Just let me,” she said softly, unfastening his pants and pulling them down around his hips, then doing the same to his silk boxers. His cock popped out, hard, long and swollen. He hissed as she took it in her small hands.

“I love you,” she said as she slipped her warm mouth over his organ and began to suck it.

“Gods, witch,” he breathed watching the witch as she began to bob on his cock, her tongue swirling over the head as she pleasured him. Severus closed his eyes and enjoyed her ministrations, his hips beginning to thrust forward reflexively as one of his hands locked into her soft curls. Gods, she felt so good. He hadn’t expected this response from her.

Hermione stopped sucking him and bathed his cock with her tongue, dragging her soft lips along its length, planting sucking kisses on it from head to base, the Potions Master watching her, his black eyes half-lidded in bliss as she lovingly attended him, now using her hands as well, stroking his shaft as she suckled his balls, making him gasp, before returning to his head and engulfing him in her mouth again.

“Hermione,” he groaned, starting to thrust into her mouth more forcefully as she brought him to the edge. Both of his pale hands were locked in her hair now, and he was pulling her forward, grunting with every slide of her wet, sucking mouth over him. One hand softly massaged his balls as the other caressed his shaft, and he was lost to the pleasure she was giving him.

“Shit,” he breathed as he felt himself tightening. Hermione felt him begin to shudder and sped up, her mouth flying over his cock, her hair wrapped around her face. She was soaking wet, turned on by the wizard’s reaction. Gods she loved him so much.

With a cry, Severus came, clutching her head tightly with his fingers, bending and driving into Hermione’s mouth as deep as he could and ejaculating, filling it with his seed and feeling her swallow around him. His mouth was slack and his head spinning as he emptied into the witch, and his heart swelled with emotion that she felt so strongly for him she would give herself this way so freely and with so much love.

As soon as he was able the Potions Master dropped to his knees, wrapped his arms around Hermione and kissed her deeply, tasting his own essence as he did so. He pulled back and looked into her eyes.

“I would do anything for you, Hermione, anything in my power,” he declared passionately.

“I know, Severus. I know. And I love you for it,” she replied softly.

Severus looked at her, overwhelmed with an emotion that he could no longer deny, no longer hide from. An emotion he could no longer pretend wasn’t churning inside him, demanding to be let out and recognized. At last it boiled over.

“And I love you too, witch,” he breathed, “with everything I am. You are my world, Hermione Granger. Everything in my life revolves around you now. You and the child you carry. I’ll never let any harm come to either of you. You both belong to me.”

Hermione looked at him, then sobbed, burying her face in his shoulder and clinging to the wizard as if she would never let him go.

He hoped she never would.

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A/N: Yay! An admission of love from Severus. Finally! Huzzah! Please review.

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The Burning Pen

Becoming Familiar with a Man of Misery
by Ruth Solomon

 

The story content is adult in nature and can contain graphic sex and violence. Those under the age of 18 are asked to leave this site immediately. You are not welcome here. The author is not responsible for those under-aged who view these works.

CHAPTER 59

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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