Hello everyone!
So, this is for terrylove…I hope you didn't give up on me completely, I'm so sorry I'm such a lazy-ass, but your review got me to speed it up.
This is the linker between my other two stories. Took me quite awhile to write and for that my apologies. The reason it took me quite this long is that I had to introduce Callah more fully. You see in Normal, Callah was there to serve a few convenient functions: she was Hermione's roommate (could have used Ginny, I suppose, but whatever) and she served to give Snape a life of sorts. He started bitching that he never gets any action so I gave him some. And some drama, just to teach him a lesson. Callah, however, was borrowed from another piece of (original) fiction I've written and she's a…quirky…sort. I wasn't so sure I wanted to explore that fully within the realm of fanfiction, so here we have the compromise: I threw in her major 'flaw' (I hate that word, I prefer to think of them as quirks) but didn't really get too far into it. You'll see what I mean.
On with the show then, and a huge hug to anyone and everyone who's reviewed my other stuff (I get so excited with reviews, I save them all and check the profiles of my reviewers!).
--aimes
"It has been seven years. Seven years of joy, pain, love, laughter, and strife. And through it all, we have grown. We entered as children, wide-eyed and fearful; we leave as adults: men and women who will stride into the world with confidence.
"On this horizon, as we prepare to cross into a world of choices, we must take a moment for those who came before us. Our compatriots, fallen in battle; who cannot be with us today. For them we will always stand firm: we shall fight for our beliefs without hesitation.
"But this is a time of joy, do not forget. Give pause to thank our professors for their years of patience and perseverance. And give yourself credit for patience and perseverance. For my part, the future is mine to own.
"I wish you joy, I wish you luck, but above all I wish you adventure; for nothing great was ever achieved without a bit of excitement."
Hermione grinned at the seventh years assembled before her and stepped down from the podium. There was a moment of silence, then the hall erupted in cheers. She walked back down to her place and sat gracefully. Hah! Didn't even trip on the way down. Hermione took a moment to scan the teachers. Dumbledore's twinkling, no surprise. McGonagall's smiling like a proud parent, again not a surprise. Hagrid's crying, how sweet; Trelawny's trying to look mystical and failing miserably. Awww, Sinistra's holding Flitwick's hand. Snape's looking nicer than usual. Did he wash his hair? …Nope, trick of the lighting. Lupin's looking—at me. Wait, why? Before she could control herself, Hermione blushed. Oh, good one, Mya. Real smooth. He's looking at you because you just made a speech, moron. Okay, give up and focus on the ceremony.
Several hours (let's admit it, tedious hours) later, she was hauling herself back to her Head Girl's Quarters. From behind, footsteps approached and fell into line with her. Hermione said nothing till the portrait had closed behind them, then turned and hugged Draco tightly.
"Bloody hell, I'm actually going to miss you, you tight-assed prat of a fairy!"
"I'll miss you too, you bushy-haired know-it-all descendant of squirrels!" They laughed and fell on the couch.
"So have you made your move, Draco?" she asked once the spells were in place. A rather genius idea, Mya, pat yourself on the back. Spells that mimic arguments you've had for people who might be listening.
"No. He doesn't want me," he sighed dramatically.
"Good lord, you would be the dramatic sort of queer, wouldn't you? You're worse than a woman, I swear. Of course he wants you. He stares at you all bloody day!" The 'he' in question was, of course, one Harry James Potter.
They were silent for a moment.
"You know Draco, this war won't be fought forever. One day, you'll be free to love whomever you wish."
"I know…but…Hermione—do you ever wonder? Do you ever sit up at night and think 'what if we don't win'?" Every night.
"Yeah, I do. But I can't stop too long because I've faced one really shitty fact, Draco: if we lose, everyone I've ever cared about will die. Well, the ones who haven't been killed off already, anyways."
Draco nodded. They drifted into pensive silence, with Hermione's head on his lap and his fingers gently entangled in her hair.
Both of them were startled when there was a knock.
"Malfoy, sod off!! I mean, leave her alone already!" Ron's voice was enraged.
They both sighed, but neither moved. "Allow them entry please!" Hermione called to the portrait, which swung open obligingly.
Ron barreled into the room, Harry followed more quietly. There was a moment of shocked silence when they laid eyes on the scene.
"Neat spell, 'Mione," Harry complimented.
"Thanks, Harry. Can't take all the credit, my fairy godfather helped." Draco smacked her lightly.
"Watch it, Bushy." There was calm for a moment.
"Wow, 'Mione, I thought you two had reverted back to the old ways," Ron said after a moment.
"Nah, but the walls have ears around here, if you know what I mean."
"Yeah," Harry commiserated. He sat down on the armchair and grinned at the pair. "So. Are you two ready for a wicked graduation party?"
That was all it took. Within a few hours, there were people from all houses mingling, drinking, and generally having a good time.
Hermione took one last look, noticing Ginny and Blaise Zabini talking in the corner. Ginny was fingering the rim of a martini glass while smiling coyly. Ron and Millicent Bulstrode were snogging on the couch. Good thing most of the mini-Death Eaters were pulled out of Hogwarts earlier in the year. Heh, and Lucius, Zabini Senior, and a few others left their kids to spy. Milli's 'spying' REAL well! Out of the corner of her eye she noted that Harry and Draco were deep in conversation. Hermione smiled, bade goodnight to Hannah Abbot and Ernie Miller, who were currently occupying her path, and left.
Ah, to sleep…and to sleep, perchance to dream…
Three hours later, Hermione hauled herself out of bed, growling. Figures I wouldn't be able to sleep. She slipped on her flip-flops and pulled a robe around her. To the kitchens! Nothing says sleep like hot chocolate laced with Irish Crème!
She snuck down to the kitchens where she pulled out a mug and set about making hot chocolate.
"Out past curfew, Miss Granger?" Hermione froze at the voice. Eep.
"I couldn't sleep, sir," she murmured softly as she turned to face him. Severus Snape leaned against the counter, watching her. His expression was not threatening and Hermione relaxed minutely. Easy, Mya. It's just Severus. Right. 'Easy Mya, it's just a rabid flobberworm.' Wait can flobberworms get rabies? Scratch that, focus, Hermione!
"Is there a particular reason why?" he queried.
"I don't know. I was just going to have some hot chocolate to help me."
"Laced with generous amounts of Irish Crème, I have no doubt."
Hermione gaped.
"Um. Well. Yes, actually," she admitted sheepishly. Snape sighed imperiously.
"Come along, Miss Granger. Ten points from Gryffindor for being out past curfew and five for being so silly as to not ask for help."
Hermione laughed as she fell into step behind him.
"When have you ever known me to take the easy way, sir?"
"Never, I think that might be one of the things I like about you," he replied mildly. They strolled down to the dungeons in silence and Hermione followed him into his private quarters. She'd been there a handful of times since returning back to school after being captured and tortured by the Lestranges. Snape had become a surrogate father and though he treated her no differently than he ever had on the average day, Hermione had been known to come to him in the dead of night for comfort. He was always obliging. It's like we have a totally different relationship during the day. I would never EVER mention these visits outside this room. And he'd sooner shoot himself than admit he cares about me.
Tonight he poured a glass of red wine for her and motioned her to the armchair she preferred.
"How are you, Hermione?"