Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Forbidden Rapture	By : Marionne25 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 49897 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 8
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and am not making money from this story.

Chapter List
- 44
- 45
- 46
Author's Notes:

Greetings!!!

Thank you for all the lovely comments and reviews.
A short chapter with a handful of memories.
I'm sorry for being out and about.
The recital of the kids went well last Sunday.
Monday was supposedly a rest day but then my friend and I went to uni to get some post grad docs for application.
I spent the day or rather half of it at work and half sending out applications.
And yay, one application i sent just lastnight already got an answerand big chance of going to a different country to work for three years contract.
Yay on that.
But before that, ofcourse here is the promised chapter.
Seriously, it's quite short and maybe nothing out of the extraordinary chapter. Will most likely post another one or two within the week.
Really tired so i couldn't post more than this tonight.

Lots of love
xx

Chapter Forty Four
The Trade

“Shit.” Hermione muttered under her breath as she heard Snape arrive from the other room.
She quickly sat up straight over the couch in their living room and pretended to be immersed in the book she was reading.
She was alone in the cottage the whole day – a whole day of solace and time to think about things.
It has been weeks, a few months since the ambush.
She had nowhere to go but to stay with Snape.
She was wandless and no means to contact the outside the world but Snape.
He told her that the war was still on-going. He told her that it was unsafe to be out there and trying to contact Harry and the others might be dangerous.
He told her and promised her that she should just heal herself completely from her injuries and trust him that he will deal with things in the outside world and if there was anything significant or imminent for her to know he would let her know.
Nothing in the weeks and months that passed seemed to happen that was ‘imminent’ for her to know.
She only knew that the war was still on-going and she was being kept in the cottage for her safety incase the Dark Lord gets to her and finds her and uses her as leverage against Harry Potter.
Hermione had no choice but to be obedient and to stay and listen and follow whatever he had to say.
But that couldn’t just stay forever.
There must be something, something – anything – she can do to get out of there and go back to Harry and the others.
But that thought of hers was quickly swept away the day they had a big row and then he came home injured.
She felt terribly guilty after that.
But that wasn’t the end of it – they had engaged together in something beyond their relationship that was more than sensitive.
Their situation had been awkward and as uncomfortable as it could terribly be inside the cottage since then.
And the days passed that everything became more questionable – they would sleep in one another’s arms in the living room and in the morning they would fight, there will be mornings he would come to her room and kiss her goodbye for the day before he would leave, nights she would stay up and wait for him and then they would kiss and make up and everything else in between.
Hermione felt she was going crazy in the entirety of it.
She couldn’t leave him now not because of what was happening between the two of them – despite that she questioned herself if it were all right or wrong – but because despite and in spite of everything, he was taking very good care of her.
But was that all enough for her to accept the reality she was living in?
Were holding her hand, kissing her on the forehead or cheek and brushing kisses on her lips and touching her something normal in their so-called ‘relationship’ in exchange for all the kindness and compassion he was giving and showing her?
“Hermione?” Snape’s voice called out from the other room.
Hermione didn’t answer.
She didn’t want to talk to him nor deal with him at the moment.
Not when she was starting to question if everything that was transpiring these past few days and weeks between the two of them were still legal and normal.
“Hermione?” Snape’s voice called out entering the living room.
Hermione looked up as he walked in and stopped in front of her.
“Sorry, yes?” Hermione answered looking up at him.
“Why the hell are you not answering?” he demanded taking the book out of her hand.
Hermione looked up at him with a surprised expression at what he had just done.
“I didn’t hear you-“
“You’re just here in this room and you didn’t hear me?” Snape angrily asked her. “What, are you deaf now?”
Hermione’s eyes flashed in anger as she moved towards her book but Snape flicked his wand and it quickly flew into his hands.
“That’s mine!” Hermione angrily said.
“I asked you why you didn’t answer when I first called-“
“I didn’t hear you!” Hermione wailed trying to take the book back from him.
Snape threw it out and away from her reach and then he looked back at her.
“I asked you-“
“I didn’t hear you!” Hermione only repeated standing up from the couch but Snape pushed her back.
Hermione stared up at him with fear in her eyes.
They just exchanged glares for a whole moment without a word.
Hermione blinked and looked away from him with a pout over her face.
“I’m sorry.” Snape said flicking his wand again and the book flew back into his hand. “I just got worried when you didn’t answer.”
Snape slowly handed the book back into her hand and sat on the couch next to her.
“I really didn’t hear you.” Hermione quietly answered taking the book and sitting back next to him.
“You made me worry.”
“I didn’t mean to.”
“I was worried when you didn’t answer. I thought you-“
“There’s nowhere to go.” Hermione quietly said staring at the book in her hand. “I think you already know that.”
Snape didn’t say anything.
Hermione sighed heavily and turned back to her book.
The only thing that could be heard for a few minutes were Snape’s labored breathing from his exhaustion from wherever ‘work’ it was he came from.
Hermione’s mind was then back to her book.
But that didn’t last long.
Slowly, she felt Snape hands move around from the couch and slowly settled over her lap.
She didn’t say anything nor did she move.
She pretended to be reading and was acting as if she didn’t notice his hand that was now slowly moving over her lap.
She sighed heavily as she flipped another page and was doing her best not to react to him.
She knew he was watching her closely – awaiting for her response or reject to his actions towards her.
It only took him a moment before he had taken his hand from her lap then was now slowly massaging the inner of her thighs.
He nudged his fingers a couple of times for her to part her legs a bit more so that it could accommodate the space he needed.
Hermione bit her lower lip and tried not to move.
She felt Snape move closer towards her over the couch while his hand continued to run over her legs.
“Hermione?” he whispered leaning closer to her and breathing against her ear.
“I’m reading.” Hermione simply said feeling her skin tingle at the touch of his hand over her skin and his warm breath against the side of her cheek that slowly moved towards her neck.
He breathed out to her, gently brushing his nose and lips at the side of her cheek again and moving his fingers between her legs for her to part it.
“Did you like the new selections I left you this morning?”
Hermione nodded quietly but was irritated at the question.
Did he not see that it was the book she was enjoying?
Or rather was enjoying awhile ago.
“Hermione?”
“Yes.” Hermione answered through labored breathing.
He moved and prided her legs apart and Hermione slowly slid them apart but only for barely an inch.
He sighed and moved closer to her.
This time, he openly placed a kiss over her shoulder before resting his hand in the gap between her jawline and shoulder.
His hand had moved a little faster and impatient now around her legs.
“Did you know there are new editions I’ve seen today at the same store?” he slowly told her.
Hermione only nodded and parted her legs a little more as he nudged them further.
“Sweetheart?” he slowly whispered.
Hermione’s eyebrows quirked.
Now that was new.
He called her ‘Hermione’ or ‘Mione’ or “Miss Granger” or sometimes ‘insolent child’ but never that term before.
She thought she’s heard him say it once or twice but never this close nor as vivid as the moment that just passed.
“Sweetheart?” he whispered again and this time just over her neck before placing a kiss there.
Hermione sighed heavily, breathing hard and loud and clear for him to hear the stress he was causing her.
“That’s interesting to know.” Hermione simply muttered under her breath.
Her mind was nowhere in the book she was reading.
She had lost all the mind and will to continue reading.
All she could think about was his hand running over her leg and how she was going to shove it away or how she was going to run back into her room without being rude or showing such disrespect towards him.
“I think I want to sleep early tonight.” Hermione muttered as he continued to massage her leg.
He was creating small circles, enticing her with his touches as he now began to openly place soft and small kisses around her shoulders, at the side of her shoulder and neckline.
“You want to go to bed?” he asked softly against her ear and he licked it once.
“Wait-“ Hermione said as he moved to her now, closing in the gap between the two of them.
Snape’s black eyes stared at her as he moved his hand further down the gap of her legs.
His other hand found its way behind her back securing her on the couch next to him.
Hermione closed the book now and turned to him unable to stop herself from showing her irritation at what he was doing.
“Please stop –“
“Ssh.” Snape whispered dismissing her words with a kiss.
He broke the kiss and stare at her waiting for her reaction.
She didn’t say anything. She couldn’t say anything.
She was looking up at him with what looked like a mixture of fear, confusion and anger in her eyes.
He couldn’t point which and he obviously didn’t care because he moved his face again to her and nuzzle her face with two more soft brushes of his lips.
“Sweetheart?” he called her again as he gently jerked his hand between her legs.
Hermione stared up at him with a defeated expression.
“Yes?” he asked her softly. “You would like to have the new editions of the books I’ve bought you last week?” he offered her.
Hermione bit her lower lip.
The books he bought her the previous week were all about enchanted places and other geographical places that deciphered old magic.
It was one of the most interesting selections she has ever read in her entire life.
A new edition of the set sounding even more enticing than what she has previously read.
“I don’t have the money for it.” Hermione managed to blurt out knowing she could no longer think straight with his hand roaming between her legs.
“Who said anything about paying for it?” Snape asked her with a gentle smile.
He was smiling at her – something he rarely ever does really and something Hermione missed in her surroundings.
She liked it when he smiled.
Not that his smile was enticing or that it made him the more handsome or what.
But his smile reminded her of the many good smile her family and friends had.
Seeing it every once in a while made her feel happy and comfortable.
“I just –“
“I just want to know if you want it.” Snape said. “Because I was already planning on ordering it for you before it runs out.”
Hermione didn’t say anything and Snape knew that she was weighing her options.
“Come.” Snape said. “I can have it reserved by tomorrow. And I also bought you your favourite dinner.”
Hermione’s eyes widened at the mention.
She had been dead hungry the whole day.
He left her some bread and butter and a couple cans of dried fruits.
But nothing that made her really full for the day.
And hearing her favourite – a platter of pasta, some meatloaf and two more delicacies that he had bought her the other day sounded enticing.
“Meat loaf?” Hermione asked unable to hide her excitement and hunger.
Snape nodded and smiled further at the look over her eyes.
He nodded with a genuine smile at her own smile and excitement.
“I’m starving.” Hermione truthfully said.
Snape smiled at her.
He leaned forward and kissed her once, kissed her twice and thrice.
She welcomed the kisses without question and her legs parted at their own accord.
Snape smiled further at the response of her body towards him.
“I knew you would love my surprises for you, sweetheart.”
“I do.” Hermione moaned in his mouth as he gently pushed her back down over the couch.
He had her legs parted for him while his hand reached back and down between her legs.
She had given him full access to her body and his fingers started to move towards the band of her undergarment.
Hermione’s eyes narrowed and all the glee in her face quickly vanished.
Snape’s face was now busy around her neckline and then at the crest of her chest just over her cleavage.
He flicked his tongue over them and sooner than Hermione could comprehend what was happening, her undergarment was already over the carpeted floor and two of his fingers were already inside her core.
She uncomfortably moved against his movement but all the same she only closed her eyes and let him do what he wanted to do.
He kissed her in parts and places for which she usually didn’t allow him to do so but maybe he was exhausted enough today that he forgot those boundaries.
Hermione swallowed hard and closed her eyes as she felt his mouth forcing its way to the inner of her bra so that he could kiss and lick and suck over her breasts.
She moaned and she felt it was something she should not have done.
Snape had gently taken out his fingers inside of her and slowly placed them over her buttoned blouse.
It seemed that to him her moaning was some sort of response for him to agree and continue.
But before she could even react and defend herself, Snape was already unbuttoning her blouse and was unclasping her bra as he kissed her thoroughly.
Hermione’s legs were apart now and he knelt in his pants between them while his lips continued to roam around her neck and inside her mouth and his hand groping her now exposed breasts.
Hermione closed her eyes in both the sensation, shame and guilt over her face.
She felt his tongue moving in and out of her mouth and later he was lathering it across her breasts and hardened nipple and was soon sucking them while his hand moved back inside her and was fingering her enticingly.
She emitted moans of pleasure that she couldn’t help from escaping her lips and she was extremely damp between her legs as he moved his hand in and outside her.
But at the entirety of it she wanted to cry.
She wanted to call out for Harry but knew that he wasn’t going to hear him.
She wanted to push him away and to tell him that she didn’t want what was happening but she was damn scared that he would get mad or that he would tell her again how ungrateful she was.
She wasn’t sure if what was happening was normal or was something that was bound to happen to whatever relationship she was having with him.
She wasn’t sure of the many things that was occurring all at once but she was sure of one thing and just one thing alone:
She needed to survive.
She needed to endure and survive thoroughly even just until a few days or weeks or maybe another month or so until she had the strength and will enough to find a way to get back to Harry.
And maybe by that time, Harry would also find a way to get to her and find her even with or without Snape’s help.
And until that day would come – which she had hoped against hope would only last for a few more days – she just needed to endure, accept and revel on what was happening between her and Snape.
He was tired and she understood that.
He was tired and was alone and is exhausted in the many tasks that has been abandoned for him to do.
She was the only one who understood him at the moment.
She was also the only one she has at the moment.
After all, he had saved her life.
After all, he was an Order member and he was bound to protect her no matter.
After all, he would surely take good care of her no matter what happens.
After all, she was sure that he wasn’t going to do anything that will really physically harm her in any way.
After all, what was her body in exchange for all the good things he has ever done for her and for the Order – all the sacrifices he has made for all of them?
After all these – what was her body, a few caresses and kisses – when every day for the many years that has passed, Snape had sacrificed his own mind, power, time and physical well-being to save the lives of many others not just in the name of the Order of the Phoenix but above all others, in the name of the light?
What was a little trade like a sacrifice if it meant that she could be assured of her safety until she gets back to Harry?

“A bit of a trade you had there.” Draco said entering the Auror’s office at the Ministry and throwing a large copy of the Daily Prophet over Harry’s desk.
People stared but Harry nodded to tell them that he had everything under control.
He stared on the cover page where it was his and Hermione’s beautiful picture making the headlines:
“Potter-Granger – Finally To Tie The Knot”
“Did you like it?” Harry asked with a smile as he stared up at Draco’s expression.
“You’re a bastard.” Draco muttered under his breath as Harry smiled before closing the door of his office to keep their conversation private.
He flicked his wand and all the curtains closed down and they were completely blocked out from view from the outside.
“You should be grateful.” Harry pointed out with a smirk as he sat behind his desk. “You should be at Azkaban right now for doing what you’ve done.”
“What I’ve done?” Draco repeated with a mocking expression.
“Yes.” Harry simply answered with a satisfied smirk over his face. “You could have been in there - but you know, my fiancé is very generous and she didn’t want any hang-ups until our wedding day-“
“Where’s Hermione?” Draco angrily demanded.
“She’s busy.” Harry said. “She’s doing a lot of things and errands for our wedding. Quite sweet of her actually knowing a have so much on my plate right now here at the Ministr-“
“Hand her over, Potter.” Draco demanded knowing he was in no place.
Harry stared at him for a moment then he burst out laughing at him.
“Are you kidding me?” Harry said. “What do you think of her? Some Golden Snitch I’m going to just let you win out- “
“Isn’t that what you’re doing?” Draco asked back. “Isn’t that what you’re-“
“You should be grateful you’re not salivating right now at Azkaban, Malfoy. Because of Hermione, I’ve requested that you remain to be untouched despite all that shit you’ve done to-“
“You’ve bargained and traded Hermione for all the-“
“You don’t have a say on anything that I do, Malfoy.”
“I am concerned because-“
“Be concerned of your client, not of Hermione.”
“I’m going to-“
“I’m going to see you too at the trial this afternoon.” Harry finally said drawing out his wand.
Draco placed his hand inside his robe but Harry raised a hand to warn him.
“You’re in the Aurors’ Department, Malfoy.” Harry gently said. “Do you really think you’ll walk out of here unscathed if you draw that on me?”
Draco didn’t say anything.
He was shaking so hard in anger that he looked like he was just going to attack Harry by means of arms.
Draco slowly lowered his arm and Harry smiled at him.
“You should be thankful of the trade, Malfoy.” Harry slowly said. “Or else you wouldn’t even be standing there threatening me if it wasn’t for that.”

“What’s on your mind?” Hermione asked sitting in front of Harry.
Harry looked up from the book he was reading and stared at Hermione’s questioning glare.
He closed the book and at up on the bed as Hermione closed the door behind her.
“Nothing much.” Harry said but Hermione knew that he was lying and was bothered by something.
“Do you want to talk about it?” she slowly asked sitting at the end of the bed.
Harry shook his head and smiled at her.
He didn’t want to tell her that he was bothered by Dumbledore lately.
He has noticed the old man’s indifference towards him whence he always seemed to be his favourite.
Or maybe he just imagined all those things.
“It’s nothing.” Harry said. “Not really but it’s alright.”
Hermione looked unconvinced but she didn’t push the subject further.
She knew that Harry would tell her if he was ready.
They always trusted one another in that way.
“Well alright.” Hermione said with a smile as she reached for the book he was reading.
It was a Quidditch history book.
Something she has given him over the summer before the term began.
“This is the only time you’re ever interested on reading anything about history.” Hermione brilliantly pointed out.
Harry smiled and reached out to her.
He gently pinched the end of her chin and smiled at her.
Hermione leaned forward him and their faces inched closer together and against one another.
Hermione was silent as Harry slowly reached up towards her hands and gently played with her fingers.
“Maybe we should go downstairs and help them?” Hermione suggested and Harry sensed her slight nervous state as he held her close and held her hands.
“Maybe.” Harry muttered mindlessly. “Or maybe you can just stay here with me?”
“Harry, they might need our help in preparation for the Christmas dinner-“
“No, stay here.” Harry said and there was that undertone of worry in his voice.
Hermione felt worried about him.
She looked up at his slightly worried expression.
“You will tell me when you are not alright, right?” she asked.
“Yes.” Harry simply said as he helped her up the bed.
Hermione sighed and laid herself against his chest across the bed.
Her heart was slightly beating faster than usual and Harry was feeling the same way.
Neither of them spoke as they lay there on the bed together while their hands held one another.
It was no secret to anyone but they still didn’t do anything that crossed the boundaries that they knew shouldn’t be crossed.
And after all, they needed to give respect to the house and the people who owned it that was housing them for the Christmas holidays.
Harry’s 5^th year wasn’t easy as it started with him having to go to the Wizengamot trial court.
It was the first time he’s ever had to go there and he did think that he was going to be expelled.
Then there was the trouble with the new DADA professor who was by far – more crazy than any other bad teacher they’ve ever had.
Her adamant behavior towards what she called ‘right and wrong’ was beginning to be real trouble in the school.
And then there was that indifference from the headmaster himself, Dumbledore.
Harry hadn’t talked to him in a long time and he felt that the old man was avoiding him.
He was there a few hours ago as he visited Grimmauld Place for the holidays – or rather to check on the Order members.
Not that Harry felt he was very important but he felt slightly off when the headmaster didn’t even seem to want to see him even if they were just a few rooms apart in Sirius’ house.
And let’s not count the bothersome dreams he kept on having.
“Mrs. Weasley is making your favourite pudding.” Hermione said after a while. “The twins also finished decorating the living room with Sirius.”
“He’s happy, isn’t he?” Harry said with a smile. “Never seen him that happy in such a long time.”
“I think this is one of the happiest Christmas he’s ever had.” Hermione replied opening her palm as Harry touched her hand and started creating small circles inside her hand.
Harry agreed with her and continued to unconsciously touch the inside of her hand.
Hermione sighed and closer her eyes at the comforting sensation that Harry’s fingers were placing over her hand.
It felt such a blissful night – the snow was falling beautiful at the outside of the house, their loved ones were downstairs preparing for the Christmas dinner and most importantly, they were together.
No, it was a really beautiful Christmas.
Harry and Hermione had been known to be going out or rather what others called ‘exclusively dating’. And although nothing physically serious has ever happened between the two of them, their relationship seemed a bit more serious and a bit more sweet than those people who prided themselves by thoroughly showing a public display of affection.
Theirs was entirely different.
Theirs was entirely beautiful, pure and serious but nothing that ever really crossed the boundaries of being ever so physical like that of what Ron and Lavender was presently doing around school with the other known couples at school.
After what seemed like an hour, they both fell asleep holding one another’s hands and in each other’s arms, thoroughly savoring and reveling in the feel of a blissful night that was being given to them.
They only awoke when they heard Ginny come up the stairs and knock by their door and asked them to come down for the food because Mrs. Weasley wanted everyone in the dining hall for the meal.
Harry and Hermione excitedly went down the stairs holding one another’s hands and laughing about something.
They could hear the joyful conversations of the people that were already down the stairs as they both happily went down.
They were halfway down and only a few steps from their joyous sprint when Harry suddenly halted and Hermione actually bumped over his back and they both nearly fell off the stairs if Lupin wasn’t able to hold Harry at the last minute.
Hermione however slipped the few steps, bumped over Harry and tumbled at the last step and nearly fell on her face if Snape wasn’t there to catch her right away.
She looked up and saw the brooding face of Snape staring down at her.
He held her by the arm and the other by her wrist and was looking at her as if he wanted to reprimand her and take off points.
“Sorry, professor.” Hermione said quickly standing on her feet as Snape let her hand go as quickly as he had caught her with his fast reflexes.
Hermione then realized that the two might have been talking privately at the end of the stairs when they went sprinting down the stairs.
“Careful, Miss Granger.” Snape’s soft voice came about as he stared down at her. “Be mindful of your actions.”
“Sorry, really sorry – didn’t see you and professor Lupin-“
“Come on, ‘Mione.” Harry’s voice suddenly came.
Before Hermione knew it, Harry had taken her hand and had placed himself in between her and Snape.
He was looking up at Snape with a spiteful glare while Lupin stood staring at them.
“I think Molly is looking for the two of you.” Lupin said seeing the glare that Harry and Snape were exchanging.
“Let’s go, Harry.” Hermione said knowing that Harry was just going to feel worse if he stays there with the man.
He had stopped giving Harry the Occlumency lessons.
“Come.” Harry said taking Hermione’s hand. “Let’s go eat.”
“I would like a word with Miss Granger.” Snape softly said staring at Harry. “Do you mind?” he asked.
Lupin stared at them and then nodded.
He gently placed his hand around Harry’s arm.
“Come Harry.” he said but Harry didn’t move.
“What for?” Harry asked defensively.
Snape stared at him with a raised brow.
“It’s an academic matter.” Snape said.
“It’s school vacation.” Harry pointed out knowing that he was probably going to get some reprimand from Lupin for that.
Snape’s eyes flashed in anger at what his response was.
“This is a matter that does not concern you, Potter.”
“Oh yeah?” Harry said. “You can say anything you would like to say to Hermione in front of me.”
“And that is because?” Snape slowly asked with an annoyed facial expression.
Harry took hold of Hermione’s hand and stared back at Snape.
“And this is supposed to intimidate me?” Snape asked him.
“No.” Harry said. “This is supposed to tell you something.”
Snape looked both irate and amused by Harry’s actions.
“And that would be?” he slowly asked him in a mocking.
“That I’m her boyfriend.” Harry said with confidence. “Therefore I’m allowed to know whatever it is that you would like to tell her.”
“Harry, please.” Hermione’s small voice came about. “Just go with professor Lupin. We’ll be there in just a few minutes.”
Hermione nodded towards Lupin but Harry didn’t move.
He was staring up at Snape with a vicious glare as if he knew something that the other two didn’t understand.
“How romantic.” Snape said lazily. “However, I cannot empathize with this little news of yours-“
“Severus, if you please.”
It was Lupin.
He was staring at Snape as if warning him about something as his eyes strayed at Harry momentarily before going back at Snape.
It was a very awkward moment – the four of them standing in silence between the corridor and stairs and none of them seemed willing to move a muscle.
“Harry, just go with professor Lupin.” Hermione’s voice came. “I’ll be right there-“
“But ‘Mione-“
“Just go.” Hermione said.
She was staring at Harry with such a command that Snape’s lips secretly thinned as he tried his best not to smile at the thought that Harry Potter – the Chosen one as he was called and the only Boy Who Lived after the Dark Lord’s wrath – couldn’t even argue with this girl.
He was so powerless over the girl’s prowess over him.
Or perhaps it was something else – something that was ridiculously called love.
“Fine.” Harry said in a defeated tone letting her hand go.
Snape gave a curt nod towards Lupin who led Harry away.
“Five minutes.” Harry said with emphasis with his emerald eyes glinting at Snape.
Snape only smirked at him.
He waited until they were alone in the corridor and then he turned to Hermione.
She was looking quietly up at him with a nervous glance.
“You’re nervous.” Snape pointed out. “Is something wrong, Miss Granger?” he asked her.
Hermione shook her head.
“I’m fine, professor.” Hermione said although she wasn’t.
Something was amiss and different about Snape tonight and she felt quite uncomfortable to be alone with him for some reason.
No, they weren’t alone.
There were people a few feet away from them – a whole bunch of people gathered in a party – was just about seven steps away from where they stood and yet she didn’t feel comfortable at being alone in his presence.
“What can I help you with, professor?” Hermione asked him before she loses her guts to do so.
“Potter.” Snape said. “It’s about, Potter.”
Hermione’s eyes widened momentarily that after all this time, Harry was the concern of what they were to talk about and yet he was insistent in keeping Harry out of it.
“Harry?” Hermione repeated unable to hide her surprise and irritation. “But I thought you said-“
“How good are you with wandless magic?” Snape asked in a straightforward and business-like manner.
Hermione blinked.
She wanted to ask if the question was what she heard it to be.
“I’m sorry professor, are you-“
“You’ve heard of wandless magic, yes?” Snape asked impatiently.
Hermione nodded.
“Then you understand what I am asking of you?”
“I’m familiar.” Hermione said. “But I don’t think I’m an expert. I haven’t done powerful casting spells that are-“
“I just need to know if you’ve done so.” Snape cut short. “Have you?”
“Yes, I have.” Hermione answered him staring at his black eyes with confidence. “I have done so.”
“Good.” Snape replied. “And you are consistently practicing this?”
“Yes.” Hermione answered him. “When I have the chance and when I don’t think I’d get into trouble for it.”
Snape seemed to consider her answer.
“How good are you?”
“Excuse me?”
“How good are you with it in a scale of 1-10?”
“Eight.” Hermione confidently answered again. “As I’ve said, it’s only the large spells I cannot-“
“Good. Then I want you to do something.” Snape said pulling out a parchment from the inside of his robes.
He slowly handed it to her in such a slow pace that their fingers touched momentarily.
It separated as fast as it had gone but Hermione could swear that she felt a twinge of some sort through that very short and minimal skin contact.
It felt different and foreboding in a manner.
Hermione opened the parchment.
There were side notes, dates and hours over what looked like a small-sized chart written and scrawled by Snape himself.
“What are these?” Hermione asked confused.
“Dates that Potter was supposed to have Occlumency lessons with me. Apparently, I am quite sure you’ve already known he’s stopped-“
“You cancelled the lessons.” Hermione said not meaning to sound accusatory. “I’ve heard that you’ve-“
“That’s not the matter at hand, Miss Granger.” Snape said simply dismissing her thoughts away.
Hermione fell silent but she was looking up at him with a different gleam in her eyes.
She never liked it when she was being cut short in her words or sentences especially if she knows that what she has to say had some importance in it.
“Then what do you want me to do with it?” Hermione asked him.
“Use wandless magic and mentally prepare him to learn closing his mind against the Dark Lord.”
Hermione blinked.
Did she just hear what she thought she has just heard?
“You want me to what?” Hermione incredulously asked. “You want me to tinker his mind and-“
“I want you to teach him to protect his mind.”
“But why wandless?” Hermione questioned him. “Why should I do it if it’s your job in the first place?”
Snape’s eyes flashed in anger at her obvious defiance of his request.
“Are you going to do it?” he suddenly demanded of her.
Hermione’s eyes widened at his tone.
She opened her mouth but Snape cut her out again.
“Do you want to protect him and his mind from the Dark Lord or not?”
Hermione gritted her teeth and was glaring up at him unblinkingly.
“Yes, I want to.” Hermione answered him.
“Then you would do it?” he said although his tone was more of a demand than a question.
“Yes.” Hermione answered through gritted teeth already thinking how she was going to tell Harry how this conversation went by.
“Good.” Snape said with a satisfied smirk. “Do it. Start immediately. I want you to report to me every week at school how it progressed.”
“But professor, how about-“
But Hermione no longer finished what she was saying.
He shoved a small book in her hand and turned away from her.
“What’s this?” Hermione asked completely bewildered by the book in her hand.
It looked like an old and yet important book.
She turned it over and her eyes widened in surprise and excitement.
The author was a known Occlumens and the book was all about Occlumency and how to strengthen skills and magic on the matter.
“Professor!” Hermione called out running after her down the hall. “Professor, what is this for-“
“A gift of trade.” Snape simply said.
“A gift of trade?” Hermione repeated feeling insulted. “I didn’t ask that you pay me for this-“
“Everything has a price, Miss Granger.” Snape said stopping on his steps but he didn’t look back at her.
Hermione’s hands clenched at her sides with the book in her hand.
She has never felt that insulted by Snape before.
He may have called her – an insolent girl, a know it all and many other things – but for him to tell her than he was giving her something in exchange for her to do something that was supposedly to be his job anyway – that was beyond.
She felt her anger rising and her blood boiling.
She has never felt this much hatred for the man who Harry has never trusted in his life.
She has always defended him against Ron and Harry and now she didn’t know if she should still.
She felt extremely hurt by those small words for him.
“Not everything has a price, professor.” Hermione said walking up to him and facing him.
Snape looked down at her with a surprised look over his face.
He opened his mouth to say something when Hermione suddenly grabbed his hand.
She pushed the small book back in his hand.
“Miss Granger-“
“I don’t need that.” Hermione spat at him. “Thanks professor, but no thanks.”
“You know-“
“I know what I’m talking about.” Hermione angrily said. “I’ll do it without needing anything in return, professor.”
They exchanged glares and it was the first time that Hermione didn’t seem intimidated by him.
“It will help you-“
“I will make my own research.”
“Potter’s case is not ordinary. It takes extra –“
“I know what to find and how I can help him. You don’t need to pay me anything-“
“I’m only giving you something that will help you and as you’ve said it was my job – I think it is only right for me to-“
“I said, I’ll do it because I have to not because I’m paid for it.”
Hermione looked impatient and angry at the same time and it was a look that Snape rarely ever saw together over her face.
“Miss Granger-“
“You can’t put a price on everything, professor.”
And then with that, she turned away from him and walked inside the dining hall slamming the door behind her.
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Forbidden Rapture