We,
A Harry Potter FanFiction by Repello Muggletum,
In which Severus Snape and Hermione Granger are brought together with the help of a few friends.
This story takes place in the aftermath of the war, in which Voldemort has been defeated. Some characters have been allowed to live; others have been left in their graves. Still others who had once lived have now been killed. That is why it is fiction. I hope you enjoy. Without further ado...
We
-Chapter One-
The Great Hall was beautifully decorated. The house-elves had really outdone themselves this time. A menu was set in front of each chair at the long table, written in gold glowing calligraphy. The table occupants, who happened to be members of the Order of the Phoenix, were to choose a dish of their choice from the menu and say it out loud, at which time the dish would appear on their plate. Like at the Yule Ball, Hermione mused, feeling a pang of nostalgia intertwined with amusement, as the thought brought back memories of Viktor Krum.
The dinner was to be celebratory, but the mood was somber. The Wizarding World was still totaling its loses, and there were many. Remus Lupin had died defending his family's home. Rubeus Hagrid was murdered at Voldemort's wand. Luna Lovegood had been overtaken by Bellatrix Lestrange only moments before Lestrange's own death… It had been a long road, coming to terms with these deaths, but Hermione was comforted by the reassurance that at least they were not in vain. But sometimes she could still see the bodies piled up, the flashes of green light filling the corridors… At those times, Hermione deeply wished she didn't feel so alone…
Harry, of course, had Ginny. They were perfect for each other, anyone could see. In the weeks following the end of the war, Hermione and Ron had decided that things weren't working out between them. It hadn't been easy to deal with, but in the face of all those deaths, all that destruction, it seemed wrong to live a lie. So she was alone, studying day in and day out for her N.E.W.T. exams, which were to be administered in January. The Ministry had made special accommodations for those students whose educations had been interrupted by the war.
Hermione was seated two seats from Severus Snape, but the seat between them, belonging to Dedalus Diggle, was empty. He was off trying to get Filch to search the castle for his top hat. Though she had planned everything out in her head, Hermione was nervous. Never one to succumb to nerves, however, Hermione turned to the man at her right. "Professor," she said.
The man looked up from his meal and glanced to the left, toward the voice. "Miss Granger," he said with a curt nod.
The woman tucked a strand of curly hair behind her ear and smiled. "It's Hermione." When Snape answered with a barely perceptible nod, she continued. "I was wondering if you would accompany me to the Ministry ceremony."
Snape was barely conscious of the commotion around him at this point. Why would this woman ask me to such an event? The war had made Severus Snape a suspicious man. When he had been lifted from Azkaban in the day following Voldemort's demise, he half-expected a group at the entrance, waiting for him so they could point and laugh before demanding that he be taken away or beheaded or given the Kiss. Before that, Snape assumed he would be left to rot in the dripping inner chambers of the prison. That being said, it came as quite a surprise to him when he flicked his gaze around the room he was led to and found Albus Dumbledore smiling at him, blue eyes watery. The tired-looking wizard had stepped toward Snape and with one motion had wrapped his arms around him, clapping his hand against Snape's back. "Severus…" Dumbledore breathed, loosening his hold and stepping back. "We did it, my boy. We did it."
That had shaken Snape. Even while Dumbledore apologized for his capture by unknowing Ministry workers, Snape paid no attention. We? Where do I fit into the equation? Potter defeated the Dark Lord…I was merely an instrument, used by both sides, trusted by neither. I belong to Azkaban. It had shaken Snape even more when he'd received a letter from the Ministry three months after the close of the war, just four days ago:
Dear Mr. Snape:
It is with great honor and privilege that I write to you, on behalf of the Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, to inform you of your official recognition as a title-holder of the Order of Merlin, First Class award. You have been recommended for the award by the International Wizards Council for the Recognition of Honors and, as of 29 August, 1998, will be officially inducted into the Ministry records as a recipient.
Please join us, on 29 August at 7:00PM in the Ministry Ballroom, First Floor, Ministry Headquarters, to celebrate the awarding of this prestigious honor to yourself and several others.
Sincerely,
Delphius Hattlebotham
Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic
Snape had snorted derisively after he'd read the letter, fully intending to throw it into the fire and forget he had ever gotten it. However, just as he reached the fireplace, a head appeared between two flames. "Severus, my boy!" was Dumbledore's jovial greeting. "Kingsley told me the news!" It took a moment for Severus to figure out what the old man's words meant, but when it dawned on him, fury mingling with trepidation filled his veins. Albus Dumbledore had significant sway with the International Wizards Council for the Recognition of Honors, being that he was an Order of Merlin holder himself. The blasted meddling man had practically recommended Snape himself!
"As if you didn't know," said Snape. He loomed over the fireplace clutching his wand in his pocket, ready to cast a quick Aguamenti the moment he decided Dumbledore overstayed his welcome.
"I certainly did not," Albus said. Then, as if reading Snape's mind, "You earned this on your own, my friend. Be proud." The flames grew higher and Dumbledore disappeared. Snape stared into the flames for a moment and tossed the letter in.
Shaking himself from his thoughts, Snape looked at Hermione. Her body language was open, and she eyed him curiously. Nothing seemed to be amiss, but still… The old reservoir of doubt flooded the man's heart and mind. "I hadn't planned on going, Miss Granger."
Hermione seemed to be expecting this answer, for she gave another smile and nodded her head. The light from the torches lining the walls of the Great Hall bounced off of her loose curls. "I hate to sound desperate, sir, but Ron and Harry both have dates already, and I don't want to be the only one there alone, with no one to dance with…"
"While I'm sure it would be devastating to your ego, Miss Granger, to have no one to dance with, I still cannot accept your offer." Snape turned away from her and set about eating his food again. He intended to go back to the dungeons for a while after supper, to work on a few potions Poppy needed for the hospital wing. After that, he'd walk to Hogsmeade and Apparate over to Spinner's End, to see about fixing it up. It had fallen into disuse after the war, and though school would be in session soon enough, Snape still wanted to see it fixed before winter set in.
The conversation continued around him, for a while. Then, "Severus also has no dancing partner, Miss Granger! Might I suggest you accompany each other?" Dumbledore beamed at the two from the head of the table. Snape leaned back in his chair a little, trying to hide behind Diggle, but he could still be seen, even with the addition of Diggle's hat (found by Pomona Sprout in a second floor lavatory).
"I've already asked him, Albus, but he seems content to go alone, or not at all," Hermine said. Everything was playing into her hand.
"Nonsense! Severus, it would be very kind of you to accompany Hermione to the ceremony. I would do so myself, but as I'm presenting, I will be indisposed for much of the evening." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled into Snape's. Naturally, he knew that putting Severus on the spot would anger the man, but a Headmaster must have some fun when the world isn't threatened and school is on holiday.
"Certainly, sir. I would be honored," Snape answered sardonically, shooting a fierce glare to Hermione. How could I not say yes, with the entire party staring at me like that? She beamed back at him and rejoined the conversation, whose topic was already shifting.
A bit later, as many of the dinner attendees were departing, Hermione approached Severus Snape. "Thank you for agreeing to go the Ministry ceremony with me, Professor," she said.
"It was not by choice, Miss Granger." Snape started walking out of the Great Hall. Hermione followed, struggling in her high heels to keep up with his long strides.
"You could have easily refused." He stopped abruptly at the entrance to the dungeons and turned toward her. A strange look glimmered in his dark eyes, but Hermione could not figure out what it was. Anger? Desire? Repulsion? She decided it was an even mix between the first and the last.
"No, Miss Granger, I could not have. Kindly remove yourself from my presence. I will see you next week." The man did not wait for Hermione to remove herself. If he had, it would have taken a long time. In fact, even as he strode away into the darkness, it only took Hermione several long strides to catch up with him.
"Please, I know you don't wish to escort me, but I do appreciate it. Let me make it up to you. How's a cup of tea in Hogsmeade tomorrow?" No response. "A butterbeer? Firewhisky?"
A violent shade of purple-red rose in Severus Snape's face. His eyes narrowed. His hands clenched into tight fists. "What makes you think, girl, that I would be willing to waste even one moment of my precious time with you? It is bad enough that I have been forced into accompanying you to a ridiculous Ministry event, but to spend so much as an hour with you, eating crumpets and chatting?" He shook his head furiously. It was clear he wanted to go on insulting her, but something within him made him stop. "Good day, Miss Granger." He stormed off. Several seconds later, Hermione heard a loud bang! from somewhere in the darkness.
If it had been a year earlier, Hermione probably would have dissolved into tears at the first word Snape uttered. But she had matured in the past months, or perhaps had toughened up. In any case, it took a lot to upset Hermione Granger. She returned to the Great Hall to say her goodbyes and headed for the Snidget Inn in Hogsmeade, a smirk decorating her face.