31 August 2006
After two months, Severus had to admit his surprise that Hermione was still there. He truly thought that – even though she'd said she was never going back – that after a while, she would miss the life she'd had and return. She never talked about Ron or any of the Weasleys, though, nor did she ask anymore questions about the past eight years of his life. Instead, they spent hours in his lab brewing orders that came in daily. She was very good, and the few times that he had to instruct her, she listened and followed directions precisely. He didn't mind her presence too much. They almost always ate at his place, mostly because he wanted to make sure that she had food, but he told himself that her putting a few pounds back on was not something he was concerned with.
Not at all.
15 September 2006
Severus – while chopping mushroom caps – casually remarked, "I could use an assistant." He didn't look at her.
Hermione, not looking up from the dried flobberworms that she was crushing, replied, "That's funny. I could use a job."
A few minutes of comfortable silence fell between them as they worked until Severus said, "By the way, happy birthday, Hermione."
Hermione looked up from her dried flobberworms in shock. "How did you know?"
11 October 2006
"What did you say?" Severus asked. He wasn't sure that he'd heard her correctly.
Hermione was sitting in the middle of the floor sorting orders. They were a couple weeks behind since he'd started advertising in more papers (which had been her idea).
"I suggested that we rent a bigger flat," she repeated. "We could look for a three bedroom, that way we'd each have a room and then we could make the lab bigger."
Severus blinked a couple times. "But 'we' don't have a flat."
"Well, 'we' could get one," she continued, noticing the look of surprise still on his face. "Oh come on, Severus. We spend almost all of our time together. We're either working, reading or at the pub drinking. Half of the time I end up sleeping on your couch."
Severus glanced around the lab. He couldn't argue with her. The past few months had found them spending more and more time together, and she did often sleep on the couch, but that was usually because there was a potion that needed watching.
It was only for convenience.
"Hermione, that would be us living together," he finally said, briefly wondering if she'd always had such a pretty smile. Her eyes lit up when she smiled, too. It was distracting, so he looked back into the simmering cauldron in front of him.
"Severus, that would be us being roommates," she clarified. "Which we practically already are."
Severus was still unsure and wouldn't talk anymore about it.
24 December 2006
Severus had been in The Rusty Quill for an hour. He was trying to decide if he wanted to get Hermione a book or something else for Christmas. He'd not given many gifts in his lifetime, so he was very concerned about making the right choice. Jewelry or perfume wouldn't interest her – he knew that much – but he wondered if a book was too impersonal. He'd picked up and put down and picked back up at least fifty different ones.
He finally told himself that he was being ridiculous and headed towards the counter with the last book that he'd picked up in his hand. But he still was unsure.
After leaving the store, he heard the faint sound of carolers – probably singing in the Thorny Tavern – and he was suddenly very sure of what to get her.
25 December 2006
"Happy Christmas, Severus," Hermione greeted as he walked into the kitchen. She'd made her famous pancakes, and he couldn't wait to dig in. She was becoming quite the cook.
"Happy Christmas, Hermione," he replied and set her gifts on the table. "For you."
Her eyes lit up, and Severus felt a funny twinge in his chest that he thought he might need to see a healer about. It had been happening an awful lot lately.
"Thank you!" she exclaimed. "And here's yours. Let's open them now."
Severus couldn't help but smile at her childlike enthusiasm. He reached for his gift, unwrapping it carefully, and then lifted the top off of the small box. Nestled inside black tissue paper was a bottle of cologne – something he was not expecting from her.
When he looked up at Hermione, he noticed that her cheeks were a tad pink. "I know you might not wear it all the time," she said with a shrug. "But it smelled so good, I couldn't resist. It just seemed…you."
Severus unstoppered the glass bottle and inhaled, his eyebrows lifting in response. It was smoky and spicy, and he could swear he detected leather and caramel in the mix. He wasn't sure that he'd ever owned cologne, but he did like it.
"You have very good taste," he complimented her. "Thank you. I'll wear some right now. Open your gifts."
As Severus applied his new cologne, Hermione opened her first gift.
"I was eyeing this just the other day," she remarked as she examined the book that he'd eventually picked out for her. "Thank you." Next, she opened her other gift. When she pulled the item from the wrapping, she gasped. "Severus! How did you know?"
"I know how much you enjoy music, and I know how much you enjoy Muggle handbells. I found this in the Muggle village," he answered, feeling quite proud of himself.
"Handbells playing Christmas songs; oh, I can't wait to listen to it," Hermione said, eyes wide in happiness. "Would you mind if I played it later in the lab?"
"Of course not," he answered, unprepared for the crushing hug that he suddenly received from her. It was not unpleasant. He rather enjoyed it.
"Thank you, Severus!" She inhaled deeply before releasing her hold of him. "Mmm, that cologne is a keeper if I do say so."
Her comment caught him off guard, but a part of him liked it. A lot.
31 December 2006 New Year's Eve
"Hermione, I don't really celebrate – "
"Oh come on, Severus," she coaxed with her distracting smile. "The Muggle village is having fireworks at midnight. It's just once a year. We don't have to stay long."
He sighed. Saying no to her was something that just didn't seem to happen very often.
"Very well. Just a few minutes, though. We've got potions brewing."
Before they left their flat, Severus put on some of the cologne.
The Muggle village was loud and crowded. While Severus was miserable, Hermione was enjoying the chaos, and that was the only thing that made the location bearable.
"Over here," she said, reaching for his hand and guiding him to where a large group of people were already gathered.
She didn't let go of his hand.
When midnight rung out, everyone around them began hugging and kissing to welcome in the new year. Severus felt out of place, but when Hermione squeezed his hand and looked up at him, he couldn't help but return her smile. For just a moment, he wondered what she would do if he leaned down and kissed her – just for the New Year celebration, of course – but he told himself that perhaps that wasn't a good idea.
More people had joined the crowd as the fireworks began overhead. Severus and Hermione were being bumped around, but when she ended up standing with her back to his chest, he realized that he didn't mind the crowd so much anymore. To his surprise, she reached for his arms and put them around her waist, resting her hands on his. It was probably one of the nicest moments that Severus could ever remember.
He suddenly loved fireworks.
This was a fun chapter to write. Hope you enjoyed it. Thank you all so much for your reviews. They encourage me to continue!
I'm VelvetStormFF if you're on Twitter. Come find me. We'll follow each other to the ends of fanfictiondom and back. (Is that a word? lol)
Also, I made a new photo manip of our couple. Check it out at my blog site - velvet storm ff . blog spot . com (you know what to do with those spaces).
