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A year later on the anniversary of Minerva's death, the usual suspects descended up on The Burrow to celebrate a year gone past. It was a strange date to honour, but something that would become a tradition.

Amongst all the flurry of arrivals, Molly's eagle eyes instantly sought out Hermione.

She couldn't explain it, but she felt a sense of responsibility toward the girl. The young woman seemed sad, but at the same time, Molly could detect a sense of peace with herself. There was a certain underlying, subtle confidence about her.

Snape she didn't see, and so that was why, the next morning, the date of her mentor's death, Molly wanted to check that Hermione was in fact all right.

Slipping open the bedroom door in the dull dawn light, Molly Weasley discovered that there was in fact something left in this world that could shock her. For sleeping before her, her bare back facing her, was Hermione.

She wasn't alone though, and it was vastly apparent who her bed partner was, the black hair fanned across the pillow. She could see where his arms held her – one embedded in her hair, the other low on her back – but it was his face that surprised her the most: he looked so at peace in his slumber.

She didn't think she'd ever seen Severus Snape like that before.

The sheet rode low on their naked bodies, and so she could see that Hermione was holding her bed partner close, her arms half-hooked around his shoulders, her head on his chest.

It almost seemed a scene of domestic bliss.

Deciding that Hermione was very much all right, Molly backed away. Slightly dazed, she made for the kitchen.

Within the hour, people began to enter in a trickle, and once again, Molly discovered that if you didn't know where to look, Hermione did a very good job of appearing single and unattached.

Molly had to avert her gaze to hide her blush when Severus Snape stepped into the room shortly after.

"Snape!" someone exclaimed. "When did you arrive?"

The answer was lacking in its usual alacrity. "Late last night," he replied shortly. "Didn't want to disturb you."

Her face flushed, Molly turned her attention back to flipping pancakes with much enthusiasm. Her mind was betraying her, the visual imprinted in her mind.

He had certaintly disturbed someone!


Next chapter: Another year later.