This is my first published story and i'm trying my best.
Ps. I don't own Harry Potter or the Characters but that doesn't mean i can't play with them.
It was another rainy day and Aziza didn't have anything better to do than to curl up on her armchair with a cup of hot chocolate. Aziza knew that she had no visitors for that weekend so she was remotely curious when she heard the knock on her door.
"Tilly will get it, Missus!" a short little house elf cried as she hurried to the door. "Hello," the elf spoke politely.
"Hello Tilly, Is Aziza home?" A familiar voice replied. Aziza gave a small sigh as she got up and headed for the foyer.
"Hello, Hermione, How may I be of service?" I asked motioning her to follow me.
"I was wondering if you had gotten your envoy yet?" she asked clearly bubbling to say more.
"Yes, I have." Aziza replied with another sigh. "I guess you wanted to start early?" Hermione blushed as she nodded. "Very well, would you like some tea?"
Soon the two were busily working on the combination of their departments. Hermione Grange was the Chief of the Department of Aids to the Magic Inflicted Muggles. Her department was usually taking care of muggles that have been on the wrong side of the wand. Aziza on the other hand handles the department of Wizards who use magic on Muggles. Both departments are under the Department of misuse of magic and each only had to workers each. The Head of the Department decided to cut finds by combining the two sectors.
"Oh, look at the time!" Hermione gasped getting a look at the clock on the mantle.
"Do you want to spend the night?" Aziza asked. Hermione nodded weakly. "Tomorrow's Sunday, do you have any plans?"
"Ginny invited me for dinner." She replied. Aziza smiled as she called Tilly to organize a room for her old friend. "Let's finish this then retire for bed." Hermione said. It wasn't long before both girls had a giant pillar of paper work.
"Time for bed, Missus and Missus' Friend." Tilly said entering the study. "Sir will be angry with Tilly if you…" Tilly said rubbing her arms worriedly.
"Don't worry," Aziza giggled pulling Hermione with her as she climbed the stairs. "Hermione and I will be going to bed right now!" she replied pushing Hermione into the room right next to her. "This is your room, the bathroom is over there and I'll bring a nightgown for you." Aziza smiled as she pulled the door closed and headed for her own across the room.
"Missus, what do Tilly do if Sir returns?" Tilly asked handing her a night gown.
"Just let him know, he hates being troubled." She replied heading back. "Good night, Hermione." Aziza replied as she handed the girl her nightwear.
"Sorry for troubling you," Hermione whispered clutching the dress.
"Don't worry about it," Aziza whispered as she retreated back to her covers. She was half way to dreamland when a loud noise awoke her. Swallowing down a curse, she rushed to the source. "Where have you?" Aziza hissed as she helped the dark man to his feet.
"The bunnies are laughing at me," he laughed. After all the years, she still found him queer when he drank too much.
"Come along to bed," she whispered knowing he hated loud noises especially when he's drunk. Silently she summoned a hangover potion. "Have another on me," she cooed as she handed the phial over and helped him tip it down his throat. "Tilly, Can you get him to bed?" Tilly nodded then winked out with her Godfather.
Hermione woke up groggy which was rather unusual. Also what was unusual was that she was not in her bed. Sitting up hastily only made to worsen the situation as the room swarm before her. It took her a few steadying steps before the events of the day came back to her. "I stayed in Aziza's house for the night," she whispered as she stood up. Finding her clothes she cast a quick cleansing and straightening charms of her robes and headed out the door. The second she passed through the door, her nose picked up a crescendo of smells that led her directly to the kitchen. "What smells so good?" Hermione asked her nose in the air and eyes closed.
"Lamb Kabobs," a smooth baritone voice answered. Hermione opened her eyes at once.
"What…?" she cried taken aback to see Severus sharing out food into four plates. Hermione was surprised to see her ex potions professor wearing black slacks and a ratty green tee shirt. His long black hair fell to his shoulder blades and tied in a black ribbon. However the eyes were the same as ever, deep dark and cold.
"Well, Introductions are not needed are they?" Aziza asked entering the kitchen taking a seat beside him. She passed a hand through her hair before Tilly came to brush it out. "How are you feeling this morning?" she asked as she tucked into her breakfast.
"A lot," he replied before he too tucked into his breakfast. "Miss Grange, you should eat." He ordered. Hermione however remained staring at him. "Miss Granger, Please know I have better things to do than to have you ogle at me." He sneered. "Eat."
"It would do well to listen," Aziza said hiding her smirk. Hermione nodded mutely as she sat and picked up her fork. "Ask your questions after breakfast." Aziza commanded, "Severus took the pleasure of making it." She smiled at the surprised look on Hermione's face. Tilly took her seat opposite Aziza and she too started eating. Hermione was also surprised at this but said nothing as she was advised. She anxiously awaited the meal to be over. The second Tilly cleared the table, Hermione jumped up.
"Now, Miss Granger or is it Miss Weasley?" Severus asked as he left the dining room only to lead them to the study.
"No, it's Granger. Ron and I left ways on good terms but we are best as friends." Hermione explained.
"I bet you want to know why is Severus alive and what he is doing living with me." Aziza asked smiling. Hermione nodded. "Well, it's your tale to tell." Aziza said turning to Severus.
"Matters not who tell it." He replied curtly. "Aziza knew the Dark Lord would kill me to be the Master of the Elder Wand and so Draco and Aziza prepared a port key and medicine for me." He replied sitting back in his chair. "Since Malfoy Manor was under the Dark Lord hand, Aziza opened her home to me." Severus stared at her waiting for her reaction.
"Why did you hide?" Hermione asked recovering her tongue.
"Miss Granger, I didn't try to conceal my existence. Rather I just kept to myself." Severus replied.
"Few know he is alive." Aziza confirmed "thanks to Harry's testimony, most think he is dead. To be truthful, it is better that way." She continued looking happily at her godfather.
"Oh," Hermione replied shocked. "Professor, why didn't you clear your name?"
"Because Potter had already done that before I became well enough to do it myself." He replied disliking where she had lead the questioning "Excuse me but I have some potions to attend to." Severus said leaving.
After he was out of range, Aziza started to laugh. "What's so funny?" Hermione asked a bit offended.
"Out of all the questions, that is the one you asked." She replied straightening up. "Anyhow, how is Harry, Ginny and the children?"
"They're good. Ron's engaged and Luna has taken over the Quibble." She replied.
"That reminds me, I have to renew my subscription."
"Don't you post articles in it?"
"Yes, I did some but Luna's work is more colorful." The two friends chatted lightly until it was Lunch. "Draco's having a party this evening so I have to get ready." Aziza said as she finished her lunch.
"Then I'll leave you." Hermione replied getting up "See you tomorrow at work."
"So your working with the know it all?" Severus sneered from the doorway when she left.
"Our departments are combining, I told you before!"
"So you did," he replied heading back to his room to get ready. Aziza huffed at him as she followed. Back in her room she took a cold bath and dressed in a simple icy blue dress with silver trimmings.
Together they apparated to the party.