Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 25 ~ Albus Gets a Pleasant Surprise
Hermione stepped through the floo, into Dumbledore’s office. The Headmaster looked up at her from behind a pile of parchments spread on his desk. His eyes twinkled behind his half-moon spectacles. He was wearing a matching purple hat and robe, the hat high and pointed, and the ensemble was peppered with small yellow stars. He rose from behind the desk and walked up to her.
“Miss Granger…Hermione,” he said in a choked voice, “We were so worried about you. I’m glad you made it back safely.”
The old wizard embraced her warmly, his eyes closed. Thank the gods she made it back in one piece. He drew back from her.
“I trust you completed Severus’ last request?” he asked her.
Hermione smiled broadly.
“Yes, yes I did Headmaster,” she replied, turning toward the floo, as Snape stepped out of it.
Albus stared at the Potions Master, shock on his face. Then he brought his hand to his chest and started to hyperventilate.
“Headmaster!” Hermione cried.
“Albus!” Snape said, striding forward and helping the Headmaster to step back and lean against his desk. Albus was gasping desperately. Snape transformed one of the parchments into a brown paper bag. He was about to place it over the Headmaster’s mouth and nose when Hermione pushed it away.
“No,” she said, “Headmaster, close your mouth and cover one nostril! Breathe through the other nostril!”
Albus managed to do this. After a couple of minutes, his breathing returned to normal.
Hermione looked at Professor Snape.
“Using a paper bag causes too much carbon dioxide to return to the lungs too fast. It’s better to breathe in less oxygen,” she said knowledgably. She was still a know-it-all, but in this case it was a good thing.
“Severus…” The Headmaster croaked, staring at the Potions Master
“Yes, Albus. I have returned,” Snape said, giving him a smirk.
The Headmaster launched himself at the dark wizard, wrapping his long arms around him and embracing him tightly. Snape’s arms reflexively wrapped around the old wizard in response.
“My boy,” Albus said in a broken voice, “I thought you were gone forever.”
“No sir,” Snape managed to grunt out as he was being crushed, “The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”
Albus held on to him, rocking gently. Snape’s black eyes shifted to Hermione pleadingly as the witch watched Albus’ display of affection for his returned Potions Master with a broad smile. She let it continue for a minute more as Snape scowled at her. Then she acted.
“Headmaster, let him go. He can hardly breathe,” she said, placing her hand on Albus’ shoulder.
The Headmaster released Snape, who plucked at his tear-soaked robes, looking at Hermione as if to say ‘I told you so.” Hermione smirked.
The Headmaster stared at Snape a bit longer, then started…quickly walking over to the floo.
“I must tell Minerva!” he said joyously, grabbing a handful of floo powder.
“No!” Snape said, stepping forward, “Er, I’m sure she is resting. It can wait until tomorrow, Albus.”
Albus turned to him, grinning.
“Minerva would kill me if I didn’t let her know,” he said, tossing the powder into the floo.
Snape rolled his eyes toward the ceiling, then his shoulders slumped in defeat.
It was all Hermione could do to keep from bursting into laughter at the consternation on the wizard’s face.
“Minerva? Minerva!” Albus called.
“Yes, Albus?” the Transfigurations Professor answered him.
“Stop whatever it is you’re doing and come to my office immediately. It’s very important,” the Headmaster coaxed.
There was silence for a moment. Then…
“Albus, I’m not in the mood tonight. I have a headache,” Minerva responded. “Maybe tomorrow night.”
The Headmaster looked back at Snape and Hermione, his face bright red. Hermione tried to hide her grin. Snape’s face was decidedly neutral, though if one looked closely he or she would have noticed a slight upturn of his mouth on the right side. Albus leaned back down to the floo.
“It’s not that,” the embarrassed Headmaster hissed at her.
“I’ve heard that one before,” Minerva replied, thoroughly unconvinced.
The Headmaster scowled.
“Minerva, get in here right now!” he seethed.
Maybe it was the edge in his voice that made the witch respond. She stepped through the floo. She was in a granny nightgown, a housecoat thrown over it, and her long hair was loose and flowing down her back. She faced Albus, not seeing the witch and wizard at first.
“Now what is so important that you feel the need to order me about like a peon?” she scolded. The Headmaster twisted her head toward Snape. Minerva let out an ear-shattering shriek that made all three clasp their hands over their ears. The witch pointed a trembling finger at Snape.
“That’s Severus,” she said, her voice quivering.
“Yes, my dear. He’s come back to us,” Albus said gently.
Minerva looked at the Headmaster for a moment, then turned back to Snape, who braced himself. She flew across the room and latched on to his neck, pulling him down in a surprisingly strong embrace.
“Severus! Oh my gods, I thought you were dead,” she gushed, her tears flowing freely.
“No, Minerva. I am very much alive. Would you mind crying on my other shoulder? This one is already soaked,” he said, holding the sobbing witch lightly. Minerva didn’t respond and continued to drench him with tears for several minutes before pulling back from him.
She was scowling.
“How dare you just disappear for six months and not let anyone know where you were? We were worried sick. Sick I tell you. Then you have Hermione go off to gods knows where to fulfill your last request, thinking you were dead, and ….” she scolded.
“I’ve missed you too, Minerva,” the Potions Master said looking down at the witch, who stopped scolding and hugged him tightly again, before moving to Hermione and embracing her.
“I see your journey was quite successful,” she said to the witch, smiling at her, then at Severus.
“Very successful,” Hermione replied looking at the Potions Master also.
The Headmaster looked at Severus sternly, now that the shock and joy of seeing him in the flesh was becoming old.
“Where were you, Severus? What happened to keep you away from us for so long,” Albus asked the wizard. Snape looked at him consideringly for a moment.
“Perhaps we should all sit down,” he suggested. Albus returned to his desk and sat attentively, his hands folded on his desk. Minerva and Hermione took the two armchairs in front of the Headmaster, and Severus transfigured a book into another chair, then folded himself into it.
All listened attentively as the Potions Master told of the death of Voldemort, their awakening in the void, and how Voldemort was sent to Hell while he was spared because of his deed.
“They called it a ‘save’,” he explained to his rapt audience.
Then he told them about the beings of light, and how they couldn’t take him because he wasn’t ‘properly’ dead, and how he was trapped in the void and watched as Hermione made her journey.
Hermione was a bit shocked by this revelation. Her amber eyes narrowed at Snape as he spoke of it. When did he start watching her and how much had he seen? She’d have to ask him about that later. Hermione suspected he’d seen quite a bit. She colored.
Snape then described what his return was like, the pain he endured before returning to the corporeal world. How the spell had reversed itself and he had to endure the burning, then fell to earth. He finished with Hermione kissing and reviving him. Both the Headmaster and Minerva looked at the witch appraisingly.
“It sounds a little bit like that muggle fairytale, Snow White, but reversed. In this case the Princess awakened the Prince with a kiss,” Minerva observed with a tight smile as she eyed Hermione. She suspected something more went on between these two than Severus was telling.
“Indeed it does,” Albus agreed, sounding thoughtful as he looked between the Potions Master and the Spells Mistress. He hoped there was something between them. He turned to Hermione.
“Now it’s your turn, Miss Granger, tell us of your journey,” he said.
Hermione recounted her tale, beginning with hearing Severus’ voice telling her to use the ring as a port key, meeting Peter, then his mother and taking a room at the inn. She also told them about Ketri’s attack on her and how he disappeared and no one could find him.
“The ring killed him,” the Professor said, his nostrils flared, “The man intended to kill you after he had his way with you. If he were simply attempting to rob you, he would have lived. The ring is very unforgiving concerning assassins and would-be murderers. It won’t leave dangerous enemies alive to try again.”
Hermione’s eyes fell on the ring resting innocently on the Potions Master’s hand. So it had killed Ketri. She hadn’t known that. Still, she felt bad a man was killed because of her.
“Hermione, he would not have felt any pity for you,” Snape said, divining her thoughts. “He would have raped you and killed you with a clear conscience. He was an animal of the worst sort. Don’t feel guilty about his death. He wouldn’t have felt guilty about yours.”
The Potions Master placed a large pale hand over Hermione’s small one, and squeezed it reassuringly. Albus and Minerva looked at each other. The Potions Master never initiated physical contact with anyone…yet he was doing so with Hermione. Yes, something definitely was going on here.
“Continue with your story, Hermione,” the Potions Master said, his black eyes meeting hers encouragingly. She did.
She told about how Raucous saved her from the charging unicorns, and how the ring heated up in the middle of the night, waking her…but nothing else happened. Snape looked thoughtful at this. If the ring heated up, something was definitely happening. Probably Hermione wasn’t aware of it. Snape could view the deeds of the ring. He would do it later, and see what happened that night.
Hermione continued, telling about the wolves, and the wizards that tried to take the ring, and the guardian that saved her. Then she described bringing the Professor’s body back, and how she thought he was dead, and kissed him because she was sorry she had failed him. Snape looked at her, his black eyes soft as she described her sadness. It was at that moment he was sure the witch loved him.
She then described returning to the village, and the townspeople’s reaction to Snape being in the village, and how the Potions Master met Peter and Petra. She ended with them returning to Hogwarts.
Albus looked at her. “That was quite an adventure, Miss Granger. Thank the gods you got back to us safely,” he said.
“Yes, thank the gods,” Minerva said, looking at Snape sternly, “You could have let her know she was going to resurrect you.”
“I thought it would be too much stress, particularly if it didn’t work,” Snape said, trying to placate the witch. She harrumphed and crossed her arms disapprovingly.
“It was fine, Minerva. Bringing him back was a pleasant surprise,” Hermione offered, hoping it would calm the witch. Minerva harrumphed again.
Silence followed as the wizards and witches looked at each other. Then Snape broached the subject he was most concerned about.
“Albus, do I still have a position here?” he asked the Headmaster.
Albus looked at him, hesitatingly.
“Your position has been filled by Professor Flintlock, Severus. I’m afraid I can’t remove her without good reason,” he said sadly.
Hermione’s heart plummeted. No, this couldn’t be happening.
“I see, Headmaster,” Snape replied. Damn.
Albus looked at the parchments on his desk.
“I was just going over the student’s marks in her class. I have to say Severus, that since she’s been here, the pupils’ marks have increased significantly. Everyone is doing extremely well,” the Headmaster said, “I think she is reaching them.”
Severus scowled. He knew his students. Most of them had no aptitude for Potions. It was impossible for all of them to have high marks.
“May I see those?” he asked.
“Certainly,” the Headmaster said, passing him the sixth year parchments. Snape shuffled through them, his scowl growing darker. Hermione watched him. Snape looked up at the Headmaster sharply.
“Albus, I have known most of these students for several years, and am aware of their capabilities. There is no way these students could earn these kinds of marks in Potions. No way. They don’t have the aptitude,” he stated firmly, passing the parchments back to the Headmaster.
Albus looked at Snape with a serious expression on his kind face.
“Severus, are you suggesting that Professor Flintlock is purposely fudging the students’ grades?” he asked the Potions Master.
“With my knowledge of the pupils in that class, Albus, I have to say yes. She is doing exactly that,” Severus replied, his brow furrowed. “And by doing this, she is putting the students in grave danger. They will be working on potions without proper knowledge. As you know, Albus, that can be lethal.”
“Yes,” the Headmaster replied, frowning. “How can we prove this? If she is doing what you accuse her of, Severus, then she will be removed from the position and you can return to your classes and your rooms.”
“Allow me to conduct an impromptu test in her sixth-year class, Professor. I will assign potions to be brewed and monitor the students carefully. If the majority managed to brew them properly, then I will admit I was mistaken, and Professor Flintlock has a way of imparting knowledge to the students that I am incapable of,” Snape said, his black eyes glittering. “The sooner we do this, the better. Student lives are on the line.”
Albus nodded, “Will tomorrow be too soon?” he asked.
“Tomorrow will be perfect,” the Professor said, his eyes shifting toward Hermione. If he were correct, he could be back in his rooms within a few days. Once he was back in his rooms…
“Severus, you will stay in my guest bedroom while we investigate this situation,” Albus said firmly.
“Yes Headmaster,” Snape said, his eyes still on Hermione, who was looking at him with equal longing. No doubt she would accept him in her rooms tonight if he wished it. He turned to the Headmaster. “Thank you, sir.”
“You’re welcome Severus,” the Headmaster said. Then he smiled. “I still can’t believe you’re back. Wait until I make the announcement that you still live. Everyone will be ecstatic.”
Snape snorted. Albus still persisted in his delusion that everyone appreciated the Potions Master as much as he.
“And wait until they find out you are the wizard who killed Voldemort!” the Headmaster added happily. Snape stiffened.
“No. No, Albus. I don’t want it made public. Ever,” Snape practically hissed.
Albus looked at him stunned.
“Why not, Severus. You are a hero. You have done a great service to the wizarding world. You should be acknowledged and admired,” he said.
Snape looked at him.
“Headmaster, I am not a wizard used to admiration. I am used to being despised and prefer it that way. It keeps the idiots away from me. I am free of Voldemort now, and can live a relatively normal life. If what I’ve done is made public, I will not be able to freely move through the wizarding world. My every act, my every relationship will be scrutinized, and my private life thrown across the headlines of tabloids. Everywhere I go, people will want to shake my hand or have me sign autographs. I won’t be able to shop or stop in an inn for a drink, or anything. I don’t want to live that way, Albus. I just want to be left alone,” Snape stated firmly.
The Headmaster looked at him.
“When you put it that way, I see your point Severus. I will keep the knowledge to myself, as will Minerva,” he stated, looking at his lover.
“Yes, yes I will,” Minerva said.
“I know you will, Minerva,” Albus said. He threw his hand out and muttered an incantation. The witch’s eyes went blank for a moment as Hermione gasped.
“You obliviated her?” Hermione asked, frowning at the Headmaster. How could he?
Albus sighed. “Yes I did, Hermione. Minerva is a lovely woman who means well, but she is also a gossip. Sooner or later she would have told of Severus’ deed. I’ve been dealing with her for over thirty years. I know her. It’s better this way. I’ve only taken out the part about Voldemort. She’ll remember everything else,” he said reassuringly.
Hermione didn’t like it, but it probably was for the best.
“Thank you, Headmaster,” Snape said as Minerva came back to herself. She blinked and stood up quickly.
“I think I should say good night,” she said, moving toward the floo, “I am very tired.”
“Very well my dear,” Albus replied smiling at her.
Minerva bid Snape and Hermione a hasty good night, threw a handful of floo powder into the fireplace and stepped through.
The Headmaster stood up and looked from Snape to Hermione.
“I am about to retire as well,” he said. “Severus, your room is down the hall, the third door on the right. If you need anything, a house elf will attend you. Goodnight. And good night Miss Granger. I am pleased to have you both back with us,” he smiled at the couple, rose from his desk and exited the office.
Hermione looked at Snape, whose black eyes were fixed on her.
“So…we are back at Hogwarts,” she said softly, not knowing exactly what to say to this wizard who made her insides feel as if they were made of hot pudding.
“Yes we are,” he replied, “Although I am currently at a disadvantage…having no rooms of my own.”
Hermione looked at him, and swallowed as she prepared to say something quite forward.
“You could always come to my rooms, Professor,” she said, her voice barely more than a whisper. She was offering him more than a place to sleep, and the wizard knew it. He felt a throb as he looked at her face, the expression on it a beautiful mixture of shyness and longing. Yes, he could go to her rooms, to her bed and release everything he felt for her. But a stubborn part of him still wanted her the way he imagined. In his rooms, in his domain.
“I want you in my bed, Hermione,” he replied, his voice carrying a slight growl.
“Well, you could sleep on my couch,” she suggested. The Professor arched an eyebrow at her.
“If I were to go to your rooms with you, Hermione, I might start out on the couch, but by morning I would be in your bed. You know that,” he said softly.
Yes, she did know that. That was her entire intention.
“Yes, I do,” Hermione replied, her amber eyes locked to his black ones. “That’s what I want.”
Snape felt himself getting an erection. He stood up, pulled Hermione to her feet and crushed her against him, possessing her mouth hungrily as she melted against him. He couldn’t stop his hands from moving over her body as he tasted her warmth, her willingness to give herself to him. He pressed his cock against her, needing that contact, and the witch groaned, the sound rising from someplace deep inside her soul.
“Please, Professor…come to my rooms,” Hermione gasped against his mouth. “I’m so ready.”
“My…bed,” the Professor managed to grunt. “Only a day or two.”
“Now,” Hermione hissed beginning to pull him toward the floo.
“I told Albus I’d stay here,” he groaned as she edged him closer to the fireplace.
“The hell with what you told Albus, Professor. I feel as if I am going to explode if you don’t fuck me,” Hermione breathed, then realized what she had said.
Snape looked down at her, aroused by the language she used. He felt himself quaking he wanted her so bad.
“Hermione,” he breathed, “Your first time, I plan to make love to you. After that I will fuck you, and fuck you and fuck you until your toes are stuck in a perpetual curl. I promise you. Just…not tonight. It is important to me that you are in my bed when I deflower you. That your blood be on my sheets. I don’t know why I feel this way, Hermione. I have never hesitated to take a woman I desired before, at whatever location that was available except my own bed. I believe it is because you are special and precious to me. I want you to be the first and only woman I take to my bed.”
He allowed himself one more sweet, lustful kiss before he moved away from her, which was difficult because she was following him as he backed away. He managed to wrest free of her, picked up her pack and pushed it into her arms to keep her from grabbing him again. His cock hurt it was so hard.
“Go to your rooms, Hermione,” he said, his black eyes meeting her heated ones. “Dream about me.”
“I am fucking tired of dreams!” Hermione said loudly. “I want you!”
Fawkes, asleep on her perch, woke up, untucked her head from beneath her wing and looked at the pair, trilling softly.
Snape shushed Hermione, looking back at the doorway Albus had used to exit, thinking he might have heard the witch’s passionate declaration.
“You will have more of me than you can stand, Hermione. Just be patient a little while longer,” he said as the witch scowled up at him from behind her backpack. “It will be worth it, I promise you.”
Hermione looked up at the Professor realizing this was just as hard for him as it was for her. He wanted to make his first time with her special. Most wizards wouldn’t be so thoughtful.
“All right Professor. I can wait if you can. But if you change your mind, please come to me. I won’t have a stitch of clothing on,” she breathed.
The Professor closed his eyes. Hermione was quickly learning to become a temptress.
“Just go, Hermione,” he croaked.
The witch gave him a rather evil smile, knowing her comment about waiting for him naked would haunt him all night long, maybe even drive him through the floo in the middle of the night. Yes, she really was learning.
“Good night, Professor,” she said, grabbing a handful of floo powder and tossing it into the flames.
“My rooms,” she said, stepping through the floo.
Snape stood there, breathing as if he had just run a marathon. That last comment had almost broken his resolve. The image of Hermione lying naked in her bed, waiting for him to come and take her flashed through his mind. Snape pushed it away, then turned and walked to Albus’ desk. He gripped the edge of it so tightly, his knuckles turned white.
Fawkes, watching him, began to sing a soothing tune. Snape felt it wrap around him, easing him, calming him down. The quaking stopped. The Professor sighed and turned to the Phoenix.
“Thank you, Fawkes. I don’t think I would have lasted left to my own devices,” he said to the bird. “That young woman has an iron grip on me. She is well on her way to becoming an excellent seductress.”
Fawkes rolled her eyes at the dark wizard. Even she could see he needed very little seducing when it came to Hermione.
“I saw that,” Snape said, scowling at the bird.
Fawkes made a stuttered squawking noise that sounded suspiciously like laughter.
Snape turned and walked toward the guest room, his thoughts on the naked witch waiting in her rooms.
It was going to be a long night.
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A/N: Good morning everyone. New chapter up. Now Albus and Minerva know Snape is back. Pretty nasty that Albus obliviated Minerva, but it had to be done. The sexual tension is high between Snape and Hermione. She’s ready for him…man oh man. Next chapter Snape has to get his job back, then on to the lemons. Please review.
The Burning Pen
The Ring
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.