The Burning Pen

In An Alternate Universe Someplace
by Ruth Solomon aka Ms_Figg

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 36

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 36 ~ Another Focus

After setting up the next potion, Severus collected Ron and Harry, bringing them to the library in order to study, though he didn’t actually study himself. He had completed his weekend assignments already. Instead, he accessed the Restricted Section, gathering a few Healer books to peruse.

Since he was past the Age of Consent, he could use that area of the library without the necessity of a note from a teacher.

As Ron and Harry sullenly worked on their parchments, Severus leafed through several books of Healer spells. Finally he found what he was looking for. It was called the “Flushing spell.” What it did was basically flush the kidneys overnight. It was a simple spell that simply increased the amount of fluid in the body and the next morning the patient urinated copiously. As much as a gallon of urine, supposedly cleansing his/her system in the process.

It was perfect. The incantation was simple.

”Tardus Unda” or Slow Water.

All he needed to do was wait until Hermione was asleep, creep into her bedroom, cast the spell and collect the result the next day. He’d Disillusion himself for added safety.

Severus also called an impromptu meeting of the Prefects which was held in the library. As Head Boy, he could issue orders to them. Draco, who had been serving as “Temporary Head Boy” while Severus stayed in the dungeons, showed up with a scowl on his face. He believed the position should have been his, and in fact Severus chose Draco because despite being a spoiled little bastard, he was quite good at issuing directives.

”What’s this about, Snape?” Draco demanded as the other Prefects looked on curiously.

”I am issuing a new directive for the next month or so,” Severus replied, leveling his eyes on Draco. “It is very important and has to do with my current brewing assignment.”

”Hey, you can’t use Prefects for your personal projects!” Draco complained.

”I’m afraid I can, Draco, as long as it isn’t anything too strenuous or dangerous. One of the perks of being the real ‘Head Boy.’ Severus purred at him.

Draco reddened and shut up.

”I need to collect as much Morning Dew as possible over the next month. I’ve been doing it myself but the amounts I’ve managed to glean are negligible. I need a few gallons,” Severus began.

”You can buy Morning Dew,” Draco interjected.

”I need the purest dew available. You never really know how processed the store-bought kind is. So each morning you will all go outside and collect the dew from the grasses. At the end of the month, you will all receive extra house points for your cooperation. So it does have a benefit,” Snape said to the group, who murmured assent. They were usually up first anyway in the mornings.

Well, everyone except Draco, who was rather angry he was being used by Severus in this manner.

”This is clearly an abuse of authority,” he griped.

Severus’ narrowed his eyes at the blonde Pureblood.

”You can always resign your position, Draco. No one’s forcing you to be a Prefect,” he said coldly.

Draco fell silent. He enjoyed the status being a Prefect gave him.

Severus thanked everyone and dismissed them.


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The next morning, Hermione awoke feeling bloated and having to pee badly. She rushed into the bathroom, sat down on the loo and peed for almost two minutes straight.

”What the hell?” she said, opening her legs and looking down at the stream. “Good gods, I’ve sprung a leak.”

When she finished, she wiped then stood up and examined her urine. She had peed a lot, but there was no strange odor or color. Maybe she had retained some fluid. She flushed the toilet then went about her morning ablutions. It was back to class as usual.

She didn’t see Severus before she left. Either he was already at breakfast or still dressing.

He had showered the night before, looking at her a bit hotly as he walked past her into the bedroom in only his boxers with a towel around his neck. He stopped outside the bedroom door for a moment, looking at her as she marked parchments. He started to open his mouth.

”Don’t even suggest it,” she snapped at the young wizard.

Severus gave her a small smirk and entered her bedroom. Presently she heard the shower turn on and returned to her work. Randy little bastard.

Hermione went to her classroom and placed the newly marked parchments on her desk. Then she noticed some extra paperwork. She picked it up. It was two separate little booklets from Severus.

The first read: New Brewing Techniques by Severus Snape

And the second was entitled: Original Spells by Severus Snape

Hermione nodded. She would duplicate them and give the originals to Albus at breakfast.

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Hermione had just dismissed her last class of the day when an excited professor Flitwick entered the classroom, his little legs flying as he walked up to her desk excitedly.

”Why didn’t you tell me we have a Charms Prodigy?” the diminutive wizard cried.

Hermione blinked at him.

”What are you talking about, Filius?” she asked him, scowling slightly.

”My protégé, Severus Snape of course,” the wizard beamed, “apparently my teachings have really gotten through to the boy. He has created quite a few original spells that are amazing. Even more so when you read his essay on “The Workings of Magic.” He puts forth some very original ideas concerning magical intent, focus and the usage of vocalization/vibrations to bring forth the desired results. He is a genius, Hermione! A bloody genius!” Flitwick squealed. “He makes no mention of either Arithmancy or the use of Lei lines in his spell creation. It’s just . . . ground-breaking!”

Hermione narrowed her eyes at Flitwick. HIS protégé?

”Professor, Mr. Snape’s main focus is on the subtle science and exact art of Potions Making. He intends on becoming a Potions master,” she said tightly.

”Nonsense. The boy is clearly meant to be a Charms master. I am going to offer him an Apprenticeship,” Flitwick said excitedly, dismissing Severus’ interest in Potions.

Hermione glared at him. Damn it. Albus must have shared the spells Severus created with Flitwick. Now, he was moving in, anxious to claim some of the residual glory of the Gryffindor’s talent. No doubt he was expecting a pay raise as well.

“Now, the reason I am here is to ask you if I may borrow Severus this evening so he can demonstrate the spells he’s created for me as well as make my offer to mentor him,” Flitwick said enthusiastically.

Hermione’s face screwed up. First Luna trying to move in on Severus sexually, now this.

”I’m afraid he is rather tied up with a very important brewing, one that requires constant observation and application,” she lied.

Flitwick’s face fell.

”I suppose I can wait until after class tomorrow then,” the little wizard said, “but I would have preferred tonight.”

Hermione shrugged.

”I’m afraid it can’t be helped, Professor,” Hermione said, wondering where Severus was. Hopefully in her quarters studying. She didn’t want him running into Flitwick before she got a chance to talk to him.

“Very well,” he said, disappointment in his voice.

Then he brightened.

”Possibly I can speak to him during supper,” he gushed, hurrying out of the classroom and making a beeline for the Great Hall. “He’s usually there at some point.”

The moment Flitwick exited, Hermione flew to her office, opened the wall to her quarters and entered, calling for Severus. At first there was no answer.

”Severus? Are you in here?” Hermione called again.

Suddenly, his door opened. The wizard had a quill in his hand and one behind his ear. He looked slightly annoyed. He had been in the middle of writing an essay and hated when his flow was broken.

”Yes, professor?” he said to the witch, his brow furrowed.

”You will be having supper with me, here in my quarters,” she said to him imperiously.

Severus looked surprised.

”Why?” he asked.

”Because . . . I need to talk to you, that’s why,” she snapped at him.

”But what about magical roaches?” he asked her.

”The hell with the roaches. You won’t be going to the Great Hall for supper, and that’s final,” Hermione declared. “Now finish your homework and let me know when you’re done. I’ll order our meal then.”

Severus shrugged.

”All right,” he said, returning to his room and closing the door behind him.

Hermione stared at the door for a few seconds, then walked over to one of the armchairs and sat down, staring into the flames and frowning slightly. Up to this point, she had the talented Gryffindor all to herself. She had made no attempt to keep him interested in Potions since he had a natural affinity to them. She hadn’t even thought about his spell work or the possibility he could be wooed away into another field. Professor Flitwick, small as he was, had the tenacity of a bulldog when it came to acquiring something he wanted. He was a Ravenclaw as well, a very calculating one. His apparent jolliness was an adequate cover for the sharp mind behind it. He would move heaven and earth to get Severus to change fields.

Hermione stood up, walked over to her desk and picked up the folder that contained his spells, brought them back to the armchair and began to read through them, her eyebrows raised. All of these spells seemed to be rather dark for a Gryffindor. A few examples were:

Sectumsempra - Cuts the victim
Muffliato - Causes buzzing in the ears of nearby people, deafening them
Levicorpus - Up ends someone in the air as if they're suspended by an ankle
Liberacorpus - Counterjinx to Levicorpus
Langlock - Glues one's tongue to the roof of one's mouth

Hermione closed the folder. No wonder Flitwick had such a hard-on. She had to thwart the wizard.

But then she smirked. She had the upper hand in this, and it was firmly wrapped around Severus’ most sensitive parts. She would have no problem influencing him. The boy was crazy about her. Hermione might not show it, but she wanted Severus to pursue the art of Potions. He’d breathe new life into the field and it definitely needed it. Bugger Charms.


Presently Severus exited his bedroom. He was dressed in loose-fitting black sweatpants, a black t-shirt with his hair pulled back and tied in a ponytail. He wore black bedroom slippers. He walked around the armchair and looked at Hermione.

”I’m finished,” he said to her softly.

Hermione looked up at him, frowning slightly as she took in his attire.

”Where are your robes?” she asked him.

”The elves have them all. They’re being cleaned,” he said sitting down in the armchair next to hers. “What do you want to talk to me about?”

He hoped it had something to do with more shagging, though he doubted it.

One could always dream, however.

”We’ll talk over dinner,” Hermione said, standing up and walking over to the fireplace. She took some powder out of a box on the mantle and threw it into the flames, which turned green.

”The kitchen,” she said.

”How can I helps you?” a squeaky voice sounded.

”We need dinner delivered to my rooms in the dungeon,” Hermione said curtly, “I’ll have a small salad with chicken and a pumpkin juice.”

She looked at Severus.

”What do you want?” she asked him.

”Fish and chips, mushy peas, and a side of vinegar, salt and tartar sauce. Oh, and a Butterbeer,” he replied.

”Did you hear that?” Hermione inquired.

”Yes, Miss. The food will be there shortly, Miss,” the squeaky voice replied.

”Make sure it is,” Hermione said.

The flames turned back red and Hermione pulled the end table between the armchairs forward, took out her wand and made it longer so it stretched before both chairs. She pocketed her wand then walked around the table and sat down.

”This is our first meal together,” Severus said softly.

Hermione looked at him, her eyes narrowed.

”This is NOT a romantic dinner, Severus,” she said to him, irritation in her voice. “I want to discuss your future plans with you. Find out what you plan to do.”

Severus blinked at her.

”Well, like I told you before, I intend to become a Potions master,” he said to the witch, “the best one ever.”

”Your modesty knows no bounds, does it?” Hermione said derisively, although she knew it was completely possible that Severus Snape could become the foremost Potions master of the times if he continued on the path he was.

”Reach for the sky,” he said with a smirk.

”What about your spell work?” she asked him. “You are quite talented at creating spells.”

”Yes, but I prefer potions,” he said.

”I see, but . . . what if someone were willing to give you a leg up in working with spells? What if someone were willing to offer you an Apprenticeship?”

Severus looked thoughtful.

”I don’t know. I guess it would depend on what was being offered with the Apprenticeship. I don’t have traditional ideas concerning the application of magic and its intent. Actually, my ideas are rather contrary. I might not be given a chance to explore my ideas fully if I am mentored by a stickler for tradition,” Severus said.

Hermione frowned slightly. Flitwick would no doubt give him free reign and bend over backwards to facilitate the young wizard.

“What if your mentor ascribed to your ideas and allowed you to experiment all you liked?” Hermione asked him. “Provided everything you needed?”

”I might delay my Potions studies then,” the boy replied, “because that would be quite an opportunity. But I would eventually return to Potions while working in the Charms field. The residuals could be very lucrative.”

“I see,” Hermione said, disappointment in her voice.

Severus looked at her sharply.

”Why are you asking me about my Spell work?” he asked the witch.

Hermione looked at him.

”Because Professor Flitwick saw your original spells and wants to offer you an Apprenticeship. He says you’re a genius and your ideas are exciting,” she said to him softly.

”Professor Flitwick? He’s brilliant,” Severus said with a smile. “I’ve seen him do spells that not many wizards can begin to do. His focus and intent are amazing. I could probably learn a lot from him.”

”Yes, you probably could,” Hermione agreed, her mouth turning downward.

Severus looked at her profile.

”You don’t want me to accept his offer, do you professor?” he asked her softly.

”That’s not up to me, Severus. It’s your future. If there is a better opportunity for you in Charms, then it’s understandable you would pursue the art,” she said harshly. “You’d be a fool to pass it up.”

“Potions could be just as lucrative,” the young wizard said. “It’s just that having a well-known mentor opens doors faster. That’s the real advantage of an Apprenticeship.”

Severus fell silent. It was an expectant silence as he looked at Hermione, waiting for her to say something.

Finally, she turned her head and scowled at him.

”What? What do you want me to say?” she asked him angrily.

”That you’ll take me on as your Apprentice after I graduate. If I have a better offer, I can turn Professor Flitwick down,” he said to her, his eyes gleaming.

That would mean another four years in her presence.

”What? I have never taken on an Apprentice. There was no one I thought worthy of spending hours of my time with, teaching him or her the secrets I know,” she said to the wizard.

Severus stared at her, arching an eyebrow.

Hermione sighed. She knew Severus was more than worthy to be her Apprentice. But it seemed he was attempting to move into every aspect of her life.

”You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Then you could work on me for the next four years,” she said to him angrily.

”Actually, I’d prefer to work on you for a lifetime, professor,” he said softly.

Hermione snorted as two House Elves winked in with their food.

”Shut up and eat,” she said, pulling her salad towards her.

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A/N: Thanks for reading. ***

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