Harry was sending off letters right and left the whole weekend. Hedwig was in seventh heaven doing so much correspondence. She usually only carried letters for Hermione, who was corresponding with quite a few witches, Gran and Andy featured heavily.
Headmistress McGonagall asked Harry to stay after class. She had completely ignored Harry casting the transfiguration spells with parsel, since the results were perfect every time. Minerva also ignored that he was reading a NEWT level transfiguration text, while she was lecturing the class. She was normally completely intolerant of reading during her lectures, but she knew it would not be…productive to point this out, when her instructions were, obviously no longer needed. Hermione was listening politely, but everyone knew she only did so in the hopes of learning something new, not very likely at this level.
'Drat that man for ordering me to not let Harry and Hermione advance! They are obviously capable. It will take a long time to regain their respect…if I can. Especially after that stupid Weasley fiasco. If only Albus wasn't forcing me to favor him,' McGonagall thought to herself. She had heard Flitwick was pushing Harry to take his OWL for charms this year and teaching him combat magics and dueling. Harry and Hermione were already studying Runes and Arithmancy independently...not to mention Snape had already claimed Harry and Hermione as apprentices. DAMN him! She wanted the son of James herself!
Once class let out, Harry told Hermione "I will see her later. Don't worry." He then kissed her hand. Hermione nodded and smiled at Harry. She then glanced at McGonagall with a frown and a quick glare. A not-so-subtle threat in her eyes, one witch to another. Hermione then followed Harry's orders and left. Minerva was both impressed with the gall of Harry's witch, and irritated that she was so poorly regarded. Damn Albus!
Harry just sat there completely relaxed, looking at her indifferently…and waited. Why did it feel like she was a Kneazle, stupidly picking a fight with a Nundu? Finally, McGonagall asked "Heir Black, I hear you locked the door to the DADA classroom last week."
Harry raised his eyes at the question, obviously surprised by the subject. Never the less, he calmly replied, "Why yes, I did. There was an infestation of Cornish Pixies in the room. As you know, while not being deadly, their poisonous bite would be a problem for the younger students. I felt it was appropriate to avoid the whole castle getting infested."
McGonagall was seeing James misdirecting attention away from one of his pranks all over again. However, James rarely pranked professors. He wasn't that arrogant…or stupid. Furious at this disrespect to a Hogwarts's professor, Minerva, while glaring at Harry, and with a firm set to her lips, demanded "Is there a reason you didn't inform a professor?"
Harry looked perplexed at such a ridiculous question, "Why would I need to do that? Professor Lockhart was in the room. I was sure he would unlock the door himself, after he dealt with the Pixie infestation. It would not be a problem at all, for any qualified, DADA professor."
McGonagall paused, and calmed herself down, as he certainly had a point. There was the problem of how long the door was locked, however. "When you knew that the door was still locked days later, why did you not open it, or inform someone at that time?"
Harry calmly denied any knowledge. "I was not aware. As you are certainly aware, I am preparing for my first class with Master Snape as a new apprentice. I have been much too busy to care about childish games…other than Quidditch of course." After a slight pause. "Oh! As Headmistress in this fine establishment, I thought you should have a copy of this year's first quiz in DADA. It was given to us, that day. In fact, I heard it was given to all seven years of students. I am sure you will give it the attention it deserves." He then handed her his quiz.
McGonagall, glancing at the ridiculous quiz and his writing across it, winced. Realizing she had been outmaneuvered, and having a much bigger problem than a minor prank, even if on a Professor, McGonagall replied "Very well, you may go."
Harry stood up fluidly, and with a slight bow, "Headmistress." Leaving calmly like he had not a care in the world. 'DRAT! He considers me useless!' thought McGonagall. This wasn't James, this was Lily. That created a who different level of issues as once Lily made a conclusion, it was near impossible to get her to change her mind. Merlin damn it!
It was Tuesday afternoon. Time for Snape's potion class. Everyone was in position and Master Snape strolled in, going to the front of the class. "I have read the assignments where everyone explained what they are pursuing. You are all reaching for understanding while having the discipline to keep yourself purposeful…except one." Snape then went over in front of Hermione, "Miss Granger what is this?" And he handed her the essay she submitted, Friday.
Hermione took the parchment with trembling fingers. She glanced at it, realizing she had overreached again. "I was trying to explain all the ways I could improve the potion."
Master Snape looked intently at her, "Was that the assignment?"
Hermione going white, "You asked for three pertinent changes to improve the potion."
Professor Snape just kept looking at her and raised his eyebrow.
Hermione, her voice trembling, "I gave you eleven changes I thought would improve the potion."
Snape barked, "Mr. Fred, how many can you name if I asked?" "…at least 22"
"Mr. Diggory?" "54, sir."
"Miss Brinstone?" "Over 100, sir."
"And Mr. Ackerley?" "My last count had it at 187, sir."
Looking at Hermione with disappointment. How could she screw this up so soon? Snape then glanced at the other junior apprentice, and asked "Mr. Potter, why am I asking for three?"
Harry not sure of the answer, but thinking out loud, replied "Sir, you ask for three to determine what we are thinking about and working on, right now. You didn't ask for the best which could easily be a static answer, and pointless to ask your senior apprentices. Since you asked all of us, what you were seeking isn't a right answer, but the directions our thinking and research are going, today."
Master Snape just continued to look at Hermione, and motioned with his hand for Harry to keep going. Harry continued, "I was trying to verify that I understood the standard recipe, someone with more training could have been talking about the astrological and arithmetic changes necessary to maximize potential, someone else could have talked about changing age and preparation of ingredients, and still others could have explored new recipes with new ingredients."
Snape glanced at Harry with some respect, and said with approval evident in his voice, "Exactly so, Mr. Potter."
Turning back to Hermione, Snape asked with obvious disappointment "Anything to say for yourself Miss Granger?"
Hermione with tears starting to fill her eyes, said quietly "I was trying to impress you, and instead I failed you. I…deserve to be caned, sir."
Master Snape kept looking at her, and with a slight nod of approval, "Tell me how many strikes you deserve, and why."
Hermione stood up, tears now running down her cheeks. With eyes downcast, Hermione replied quietly but with an air of inevitability, "I can make arguments for three levels. First answer, it was a simple failure, early in my training, so deserves five strikes, your minimum. Second answer is…eight as it is the number over your requested responses. That one has weight. Third answer is…eleven. The number I so rudely gave you when you wanted three."
Snape nodded at the mature answer. He then stated, "Well reasoned, but I asked for a specific answer."
Hermione looked down, and with tears still running down her face, "Since this is a fault which has been addressed last year, I can't argue for five." Hermione then looked up into his eyes, with tears continuing to fall, and said quietly, but with conviction. "I deserve eight. If I do it again, I will deserve…more."
Master Snape looked at Hermione for a few moments, and eventually nodded. "Agreed. If you had tried for five, I would have given you eleven, because you are correct, Ms. Granger. We have been trying to break you of this habit, since early last year. Front and center, Miss Granger."
Hermione walked in front to Master Snape's desk said, "Will you restrain me? I'm not sure I can tolerate 8."
Snape said with a sense of finality, "None of my apprentices are children, Hermione. You made the mistake; you pay the price, without crutches. The only thing I will tolerate is a pick-me-up potion if you go weak, and are unable to return to position. I tolerate this because it has its own price. That potion will give you the energy to continue, but will also drastically increase your discomfort."
Pausing he addressed both junior apprentices. "Remember, each time you are caned, you are required to brew whatever you chose to heal yourself, after the caning. No stockpiling allowed. The discipline of making proper potions when you are not at your best is part of your training…and punishment." He glanced at Harry, "An assistant is allowed as long as they follow your lead." Turning back to Hermione, "Now prepare yourself, Miss Granger."
Hermione then removed her robes, and her skirt, folding them and placing them on her table. She walked to Snape's desk, quickly pulled off her panties, balling them up in her right hand. She also pulled up her blouse and vest and laid down over the desk with her bottom and legs hanging down. She then grabbed the far end, gripping tightly. She then turned her head toward Snape and said, "I am ready for my punishment Master Snape."
Whistle THWACK! Hermione screamed, but only tenses up and forces herself to relax. Whistle THWACK! Hermione screamed again and reached with her left hand to her bottom, but pulled it back and returned to position. THWACK! She screamed louder jumping down and dancing in place, rubbing her bottom.
She glanced at Master Snape who has a neutral expression on his face. He appeared to be trying to not enjoy this...much. Hermione got back into position and griped the desk, THWACK! Hermione screamed as a fourth stripe appeared on her bottom crossing two others. She forced herself to stick her bottom back out. THWACK! Hermione screamed and rolled off the desk to the ground just holding her bottom and sobbing.
After 10 seconds, Master Snape, surprisingly kindly informed Hermione, "Miss granger…you have three more." When Hermione tries to get up a few times and fails, he said, "Do you really want a pick-me-up potion? It will hurt much more." Hermione tries again and still sobbing shakes her head yes. Harry jumps forward and holds the potion to her lips.
As he gave her the potion, Harry said "I am so proud of you! Just three more. You can do it!" As Harry was going to help her up, Snape shook his head no. Harry with tears on his own face then stepped back to his desk.
Hermione with smoke coming out her ears, suddenly opened her eyes widely and let out a bloodcurdling scream. She jumped up and danced in place, rubbing her bottom. All the apprentices had sad looks on their faces, a few with actual tears, reliving previous moments when they were in her place…though never this young. Just as Snape was going to say something, Hermione flung herself over the desk and grabbed the far side. Nodding her head.
Whistle THWACK! Another bloodcurdling scream and she kicked her legs before settling down. THWACK! a seventh line appeared on her bottom which is getting puffy and red, from the increased trauma. Hermione still won't let go of the desk and her legs fall into place. Whistle THWACK! right across her lower bottom on her sit spots. Hermione screamed again and was just sobbing letting herself hang limply over the desk.
Master Snape kindly ordered, "Hermione, get up, get dressed, and return to your desk." Hermione pushed herself up, not wanting to roll onto her bottom on the desk, and dropped to the floor. She then lost her balance and fell on her bottom. She let out a shriek and sobbed louder, rubbing her bottom again. After a few seconds, Hermione pushed herself up and she limped over to her station and just stood there, not getting dressed, sobbing.
Snape sighed, "For someone who was once, afraid of being bare, the nature of this situation has definitely changed your priorities. Even if you wish to keep your panties off, until you have healed your bottom, I insist you replace your skirt. When you are brewing, having something between your brewing station, and your exposed genitals is a really good idea. You are a bit young to learn otherwise. I know you are not brewing today, but it is a good habit to develop, and I don't want your derriere distracting any of the other apprentices."
Hermione nodded her head yes and pulled her skirt up, hissing as it went over her bottom. Once in place. The other apprentices again cheered, "Wow, taking 8 as a second year, and with a pick-me-up." "I knew you could do it!" "Way to tough it out." "You'll make it, Hermione, we've been there." "I'm proud of you, Mine!"
Master Snape then called a halt and began the lesson. Hermione listened intently and even asked for a clarification on what exactly he wanted for the written assignment. She winced in pain and shifted every few minutes during the lesson but never broke from listening to Master Snape's instructions. No one in the room, least of all Master Snape, was surprised.
As the class ended, Hermione looked exhausted, and in obvious great pain. She looked at Harry and stated with a tremor in her voice, "I'm going to brew the potion now. I don't know how much longer I can last. Besides, I can't go to dinner as I can't sit." With a hopeful look in her eyes, she looked at Harry, "Will you assist me?" Harry with pride and love in his eyes said, "Of course Mine! I will help you." Snape hearing this, glanced at Elanor as he left, and she gave a curt nod.
Harry and Hermione went to the lab. Hermione hung up her robe and got her apron on. Fortunately, it didn't touch her bottom. She started powering up her burners and preparing her caldrons while sending Harry for the specific ingredients she requested. When he returned with the ingredients, she instructed him on how she wanted him to prepare each ingredient and started brewing. Forty minutes into the brewing Elanor came over and said, "NO. you added the flux seed dust at the wrong time. Start again." Vanishing the potion.
Hermione let out a sob, and shook her shoulders. She then sent Harry for new ingredients. This time she pulled out her notes and read them carefully. She growled at reading the mistake she made. She then read the rest of the recipe carefully and figured out other bad spots to avoid. Harry just stood there awaiting instructions. Hermione's hands were shaking.
Hermione with her shoulders bowed, and tears pouring down her face, wailed in defeat, "I…can't do this! I am in SO MUCH pain, I CAN'T CONCENTRATE! It will NEVER be good enough!" she screamed.
Elanor came over, and commanded "Stop!" She then roughly turned Hermione to look at her. She yelled at Hermione, "This is the real test. Yes, taking 8 on your bum is more pain than you want to experience, but brewing through that pain is what will prove you can be a potioner worthy to be trained by Master Snape."
Elanor gave Hermione a small shake, "Every year, Master Snape brings in two apprentices. It's surprising that we currently have one from every year. Some years, both fail out. This is how most fail. Making an acceptable potion despite exhaustion, hunger, emotional turmoil, and pain is the test he uses to see if you are really worthy of teaching the higher arts."
Elanor looked directly in Hermione's eyes and stated, "If you do not make this potion today, you are less likely to complete it tomorrow. Master Pomfrey knows what a caning looks like and will not treat it. Master Snape's canings are too harsh to get better in the three or four days until his next lesson, and it will be obvious if you use bruise balm you have stockpiled. Don't try it, please. One apprentice tried…it wasn't pretty."
Elanor with an air of finality instructed, "You must do this today, your bottom will get more inflamed and hurt more tomorrow. If you show up still obviously suffering from his caning, Master will cane you again. That second caning has driven away two apprentices that I have seen." And she shuddered, "It's not something I want to see again."
Elanor gave Hermione a gentle shake, and looked into her eyes, saying very seriously, "You need to make this balm properly. Concentrate! Endure and ignore the pain…at least long enough to brew. We know you can do it, so do it!" And giving her shoulders a squeeze, she turns Hermione back to her station.
With a fire in her eyes, Hermione held her body rigid to minimize new spikes of pain in her legs and bottom. She gave very curt and succinct instructions to Harry on preparations. He complied. Hermione brewed with complete concentration, and 90 minutes later, had her bruise balm.
At this point Elanor was suddenly there, next to her. Elanor held out her hand with a serious look in her eyes, and took the container from Hermione. She wasn't smiling. Elanor held the balm up looking carefully at the ointment. She examined its color, consistency and texture. Elanor then sniffed it, and touched it with her finger before rubbing two fingers together testing it. Elanor than let out a smile and nodded.
Hermione let out a sob of relief, at that nod. She honestly wasn't sure what she was going to do if it failed, as she was exhausted from holding back the pain for so long. Hermione took the container and shoved it into Harry's hands. Hermione then just dropped her skirt and apron to the ground, and stepped out of them, to walk to Snape's desk. She almost staggered, and grabbed Harry's arm, holding herself up and dragged him with her.
When at Snape's desk, she lied down with her legs and bottom hanging off the edge, and told Harry to get busy. He had forgotten she had never replaced her panties. Hermione's bottom was crisis-crossed with angry inflamed lines from the brutal caning. Indeed, her whole bottom was swelling up from the inflammation and damage. The pain had to be incredible.
When Harry just stood there looking at her, Hermione sobbed out plaintively, "Please!" This time Harry doesn't need to be told twice, and gently dabbed the ointment on one of the lesser marks. Hermione hissed in shock, and groaned as the pain lessened slightly. Seeing the welt start to reduce, Harry scooped a handful out, and just smeared it over her left buttock in big circles. Hermione screamed when he smeared it on, and then gasped, as the pain significantly changed for the better. Before she could adjust too much, Harry quickly did the same to her right buttock. Hermione screamed again, then just collapsed, crying from relief on the desk in obvious exhaustion from the pain quickly reducing.
Harry rubbed more balm into Hermione's buttocks watching the angry welts start to fade and the general swelling of her bottom start to reduce. Hermione was groaning in obvious pleasure from the treatment. Harry noticed the general swelling going down, and started to press harder and to massage the balm deeper into Hermione's bottom. Hermione was starting to moan mixed in with the groaning. Harry watched the swelling and the cane lines, over about 15 minutes, completely fade away.
As the signs of injury were now gone, Harry started to slow. Hermione mumbled plaintively "Please keep going Harry, it still hurts." Harry continued to use both hands to deeply massage Hermione's bottom pushing hard now. Hermione was now moaning in pleasure, and as she shifted, she partially opened her legs, while Harry was massaging her. When Hermione's legs separated, Harry couldn't help but notice her vulva, and saw the lips swollen and actually dripping with her slick. Hermione was getting sexually aroused from this! Harry jumped back, "OK Hermione, you're done!"
"Harry! Please keep going!" she wined plaintively, opening her legs more. Harry, realizing she wanted him to finger her, yelled in obvious distress, "I'm not ready for this! It's all jumbled up in my head, and I don't want to hurt you. I don't know what to do!" He stood there just looking at her bottom with its dripping pussy.
Elanor came over and tried to calm Harry down. She touched his shoulder and after Harry startled, grabbed it more firmly saying, "Shhhh, its OK Harry. The fact that you don't want to hurt her is wonderful. I will walk you through what to do, so you won't hurt her. You will help her. She needs this."
Harry whined near tears, "Can't you, do it? I'm scared I will hurt her."
Elanor with a sad smile, replied gently "I think she would prefer someone who loves her to help her. You do love her, don't you?" To which Harry nodded, still near tears. She then said matter-of-factly, "Besides, if someone past 2nd maturation tried to do something like this, with a student under 2nd maturation, the Hogwarts wards will lock down and all the professors will be here in an instant. I don't think any of us want that."
Elanor just looked at Harry with compassion and understanding, "I wish my first boyfriend cared more about my pleasure and comfort, instead of how good I could suck him off. Hermione is very lucky. After a solid caning, getting Bruise Balm rubbed into your bottom feels better than great foreplay. When you are older, it's almost guaranteed, she will need a shag. Hermione is at the edge; she just needs you to help push her over, to climax."
Elanor looked at Harry, "Have you two diddled, or fingered each other yet?" Harry shook his head, no. "That's fine, I will walk you through it. When she is more aware of her situation, get her input on what she likes as all girls want this done a bit differently. For now, do as I instruct. Take your left hand and continue to rub her bottom firmly." Harry resumed massaging Hermione's bottom to hear her resume groaning. "Now use your right hand and just stroke her labia, gently."
Hermione 'squeaked' jumping a little when he first touched her core, and then she decisively spread her legs to give him better access. Hermione then arched her back and pushes her core at his fingers as he was brushing her more completely, "OOOOh Morgana! please don't stop." she moaned.
Elanor continued to patiently coach Harry, "Yes, be gentle. Stroke up and down, careful around the clit, its sensitive…don't try to penetrate her too early, especially when first starting out. Vary your pressure and change patterns. OK once she is making those involuntary motions with her hips, she is ready. If your relationship was at the point of shagging, or at least fingering, this would be the time to penetrate her, first gently with your fingers, then with your penis. This is all stuff you can do when she is 14."
"Since you can't penetrate her today, you will instead, just stimulate her clitoris. Honestly, for a woman that can be as good as sex, especially if you use your mouth and tongue the way she likes it."
Harry glanced at Elanor who shuddered thinking about good times. Elanor looked at him, "That is for later if you two aren't even diddling each other yet. Just flatten your hand over her clit. Yes, like that. Now rub in circles while pressing firmly. Vary speed, pressure, and pattern until you find what she likes. There you go…and there she goes. Good job. No don't stop until she relaxes or pushes you away, that's important."
Hermione in the best orgasm of her life yells, "AAAAAHHH! Harry!" and releases a significant amount of clear fluid over his right hand still pressing on her clit and vulva, before she collapses and just sighs shaking with aftershocks.
And Elanor shook her head, patted Harry on the back, and went back to her station.
Harry sniffed his soaked hand. It was a pungent aroma which was definitely making him hard. He started to mark that smell as distinctly Hermione. Harry touched his tongue to it, and it tasted tangy, sharp, but was interesting...again distinctive. He took a good lick of his hand and just groaned closing his eyes. He was immediately addicted and started sucking his fingers and licking the fluid off his hand.
When Harry opened his eyes, Hermione had turned around and was looking at him licking her juices off his hand, in obvious rapture. Her expression was…he doesn't know what it was, she's never been this closed to him.
Harry, trying to help Hermione understand everything was OK, said "Ted's Talk said the best way muggles know if someone is compatible is to taste them during oral sex. Merlin and Morgana, you taste great!"
Elanor was heard snickering in back "That was HOT." She was heard saying quietly.
Hermione, her face still closed to him, took her panties and wiped herself off before pulling her wand and scorgifying her panties. She put them back on. She then put her skirt on, still not saying anything, and scorgified Snape's desk.
Hermione then turned to leave not looking at Harry. Harry looked devastated, and cried out "I'm so sorry Hermione! I tried not to hurt you!"
Hermione looked shocked at Harry, but obviously disgusted with herself. She said disbelievingly, "You think you hurt me? I just came all over Master Snapes desk! Everyone is going to think I'm a skank!"
Harry was completely confused, and started to get scared. He sincerely asked, "Why? Elanor said properly made Bruise Balm after a caning is pure sex requiring a release. I get the impression she gets shagged every time it needs to be applied."
Elanor yelled out, "Not every time, there are other ways to climax."
Hermione still ashamed of herself, pulled away from Harry completely closed off, "I just need to think…"
Harry's fears turned to reality. Hermione was leaving him. Harry, his world crashing down around him, fell to his knees, and reached for her. With tears pouring down his face, he wailed, "Don't do this to me! I was trying to help you! Don't shut me out! I NEED YOU! You promised you would never run from me!"
Hermione still absorbed in her self-loathing, was shocked when she turned to see Harry falling apart in front of her. She finally realized the invulnerable unstoppable machine that was Harry, did have a weakness, her. Suddenly aware he not only wanted, but needed her; she started crying herself and rushed back to him. pulling his head to her chest and holding him to her. She said brokenly, "Oh Harry! I just don't think I'm good enough for you. You are so beautiful, so perfect. I'm just plain, and apparently…a slut."
Harry, his fear turning to anger, growled at her "So…you only trust me enough to pleasure you when needed." He asked dangerously, "Have you let another wizard touch you?"
"NO!" she exclaimed definitively, utterly surprised he would even ask, such a thing!
Harry then growled at her, and reached around to grab her bottom. Hermione 'Squeaked' jumping a little at him firmly digging his fingers into her, and pulling her to him.
Harry then said dangerously, "The next time you call yourself a slut with such disgust, you will need a lot more than just bruise balm, when I am done with your bottom." Harry then stood up, let go of her bottom, and grabbed her face looking into her eyes, "You are the most beautiful witch I have ever seen, and as long as you are my slut, then we have no problems. Besides, you taste great!"
Hermione, tried to look down, but Harry was still holding her face, looking in her eyes. Eventually she gave up and let out a watery laugh. "I always thought I would be the one who tasted you first." Looking down demurely, then up into his eyes with a slight smirk, "I thought I would have to bribe you to eventually taste me."
Harry, let's go of her face to wrap his arms around her, while she wrapped her arms around him, hugging him. With an obvious smile in his voice and complete conviction, "Nope, I got you first! My slutty witch has needs, and someday…not today mind you, but someday, I am going to spread you out on my bed, and make a meal of you!"
Elanor, after hearing that last bit, groaned. She threw down her stirrer and yelled, "That it! I'm not getting anything done! I need to go and get shagged! I'm out!" and she just turned and left.
Harry yelled "Sorry!" and she just exasperatedly waved him away, as she went out the door.
Hermione quickly cleaned up her station, and Harry decided to clean up Elanor's station. He figured he owed her. When he's done, he wrote a note that said 'THANKS! Harry'
Harry and Hermione were leaving and saw a note on the Outside door. It read, "Dinner is waiting for you in the break room! Signed Gred and Forge. On arriving there, they saw a table set for three with a full dinner spread. There was a note saying 'Eat hearty, your brothers'. They felt kind of bad Elanor missed dinner, but Elanor obviously left with intent, so she likely skipped the dinner on purpose.
Harry and Hermione then experienced for the first time, a nice intimate private dinner for two. They pulled their chairs over next to each other, so they could sit together continuously touching while eating. Just enjoying each other's company. Harry and Hermione both absolutely loved it.