The Herald

8

He woke to the stirrings of a very sleepy woman in his bed.

Hold on.

In his bed?

His bed?

Alarmed, he turned to the source quickly, almost immediately calming when he saw the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor look up at him. Her eyes were still half-closed and her hair was a thundercloud about her head. He chuckled, pushing the hair from her face, bringing it closer to his and planted a kiss directly onto her lips. She hummed, snuggling into him, wrapping her legs around his.

She was curled around him tighter than Devil's Snare. Yes, his little witch had no intention of letting him go anytime soon.

He lay back against the headboard, sighing as he stroked her wild curls. "What am I to do with you, Hermione?" He met her eyes, raising an eyebrow. "Hmm?"

She frowned at him. "It's too early for so many words,"

He chuckled again, the sound resonating through his chest. "Not feeling particularly loquacious this morning, are we?"

She took his face in her hands in response, pulling him down for a long and lingering kiss. It was deep and certainly left her breathless afterwards. He allowed her to snuggle back into his arms, laying on his chest for a moment longer.

He was feeling more peaceful than he had in a long time. Merlin, he had truly been far too hasty in his marriage. He ought to have waited. At least a little longer. He could have found another way to keep the Ministry informed. He had really messed this one up.

He could always leave Eilonwy. She knew he was upset with her. She knew he had never harboured any feelings for her. Well, not good ones, anyway.

And that one godawful kiss they had shared sealed the deal for him.

He did not want her.

Minky popped into the room with the Headmaster's usual morning tea and paper on a tray, laying on the edge of the bed. She was too short to see above the bed, reaching up on her toes to push the tray. Hermione gasped, pulling the duvet up around her chest. Severus laughed at her reaction, causing the house elf to blush furiously. "Minky is very sorry, Master," she managed quickly. "Minky did not know the Miss was here,"

Snape outright guffawed at the witch's reaction. She was completely red in the face, mortified at having been seen in his bed by the elf. He pulled her into his arms, kissing the top of her head. "It is perfectly alright, the two of you need to calm yourselves," he pulled the paper toward him. "Anything interesting in the news today, Minky?"

The woman pulled the paper from his hands, her face blanching. "Merlin's balls, look at this,"

Eilonwy had done it again. This time, sparing no one at all.

There were several photographs of the pair covering the page, over them in large font 'Homewrecker meets Cradle Robber'.

Snape swore loudly, scouring the article quickly.

Just in- trustworthy source reveals Headmaster Severus Snape and Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher & Deputy Headmistress Hermione Granger have been engaging in a scandalous affair.

The source claims the affair has been ongoing since before the Headmaster's bonding to Daily Prophet's very own owner. Madam Snape, in question, is devastated by the news, having confronted the pair at last night's celebratory ball at Hogwarts castle. The Headmaster's wife claims to not even have been invited to the event, whereas the man himself had taken Professor Granger on his arm.

To add insult to injury, the two wore matching burgundy. The D. A. D. A teacher opting for a form-fitting and inappropriate number, no doubt to further seduce her employer.

Our source tells us that the entanglement between most eligible bachelorette Miss Granger and her beau, the very married Headmaster has been going on since May 1999.

How they had anticipated keeping this quiet, we do not know.

It seems apparent in the photographs displayed that they had no such intention.

Then, what reason did the Headmaster have to marry in the first place?

All signs point to Dark Arts Professor Granger not being willing to settle down with a man nearly twice her age. No surprise there, it isn't the first time we are witness to her juggling love interests. From Apprentice Auror Harry Potter, to Bulgarian bonbon Viktor Krum, Hogwarts hero Ronald Weasley, and badboy Draco Malfoy. We have said it before, and we will say it again, Hermione Granger, plain but ambitious, especially in matters concerning the heart.

It is evident, given the information provided, that the Headmaster and former Deatheater had no desire of his wife being anywhere near the school while he conducted said dalliance with his right-hand.

The source -who requests to remain anonymous- has informed us that Miss Granger, herself, told them about their shared living arrangements at the castle. Madam Snape insists that she has never once been invited to stay at the school alongside her husband.

Now we know why.

Up next - An exclusive interview with the Madam herself on the issue.

"Bollocks," he said plainly.

Hermione snorted. "Well-said, sir,"

He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, his eyes shut tightly. "Well then, it does appear we have been outed, Professor,"

She shook her head, flipping through the rest of the paper. "I don't suppose you receive the evening edition as well?" she asked. "That's where they'll be publishing your wife's scathing interview, I reckon," she pursed her lips, setting aside the paper, her eyes watering.

He rolled his eyes, taking her hand and intertwining their fingers. "Do you really want to be reading the filth the Madam will be spouting? All lies, surely. Or at the very least, greatly exaggerated truths,"

She leaned her head on his shoulder, tracing half-moons on the inside of his arm. "Until last night, we hadn't even done anything to merit this sort of backlash," she clenched her jaw. "Your wife has painted me a whore in the eyes of the wizarding community,"

He turned to look at her, dropping a kiss to her temple. "We could always issue a retaliation via another news source," he suggested.

Hermione shook her head. "Then we'd be no better than her. And do you really want to be caught in the middle of a media war?"

He huffed a humourless laugh. "Indeed I do not. I was merely suggesting it to save your honour, which has been put in question. False accusations,"

Lovely man. She thought, pulling him in for another searing kiss. Meeting his eyes, she offered him an evil little smile. "Given how awful she is, I feel no moral obligation to cease this so-called dalliance, sir," she purred, her fingers sliding to his thigh.

Snape returned her smile, giving her a tight squeeze. "Well, considering the circumstances, I do not see why we would have to stop it, Miss Granger. It says right in the paper, black on white, that we've no intention of ending it. Why not give the public what they want?"

She threw herself into his arms, peppering his face with kisses. "Does that mean I get to play the part of an overly saucy minx?"

He chuckled, playing with a curl. "Aren't you already?"

And with that, he was all of 8 months into his marriage and already considering a very illicit, very public affair with one Hermione Granger.