Chapter Three

A long bath was just what she needed to focus on her day, Hermione told herself as she dried off. After sending everyone on their way, she couldn't concentrate properly with the many tasks she had before her. A drying spell and a new hair product she found in Diagon Alley a few weeks ago and she felt much better about the trip to Hogwarts. She wasn't sure why she was concerned about her appearance when it hadn't mattered before, but she took care anyway to pick a closely fitted, dark green sweater with a navy corduroy miniskirt. She added tights as well and a matching green and navy clip to pull some of her hair back from her face. The new product tamed a lot of the frizziness and made the natural curls more defined, showing off the other colors in her hair besides the brown that most saw. Hermione had blonde and red all through her hair, but one never got past the frizz to see it. "Sebastian's Frizz-ease", she read to herself. I'll have to buy more of that lovely stuff. It makes my mane almost tamable, she thought.

Hermione looked at her list of what to cover with Minerva. It would help keep everything focused as they could get sidetracked so easily. And she wasn't ready to answer personal questions today. During the last 5 years especially, Harry and her had chosen to keep Ron's steadily declining condition as quiet as possible. The public didn't need to know the details as it would be sensationalized and cause more problems. They agreed also for the children not to hear it about their father or uncle. She hadn't even confided in Minerva, who she saw as a friend, mentor, and the grandmother she never had. If anything about Ron came up in conversation, Hermione would change the subject. But with Ron gone, it didn't seem as prudent to keep it from her now. The Daily Prophet was sure to release something about it, especially after the funeral on Saturday. Well, at least an idea of what was going on. She still wasn't comfortable talking about any of the more painful events during the last 10 years. Only Harry knew the details of those and only because he forced her too.

She shook her head for a moment to stop her train of thought. Not now, she thought to herself. At some point, she would face those demons that haunted her dreams, but today wasn't it. Hermione gathered her notepad and satchel and apparated to the Gates of Hogwarts.

Wow, was Hermione's first reaction to seeing Hogwarts that was her home for 11 years of her life. It hadn't changed, but it had. One could see the new stones in places where the battle destroyed sections of the great castle. It was still impressive, no matter how much time she had spent there. This was the first time in 8 years she had been back to the school. Minerva usually visited their home as she could talk with Hermione, and then walk over to the Burrow to talk with Molly and Arthur. It was Ron's idea to be close to the Burrow ('for the kids' he said). But she felt it was for the food as she couldn't cook.

She was starting to look over to the memorial area of the grounds when she heard someone unlocking the gate. "Ms. Granger-Weasley I presume," Severus drawled as he waved his wand for the wards. "The Headmistress is in her office awaiting your arrival. Though I don't know why she seems to send me out as her owl, I have been sent to fetch you. Don't dawdle, I have things to do," he added sharply to ensure he had her full attention. Hermione's eyes snapped towards him as quick as they did as a student. My, the man has not changed, she thought to herself. Well, no I'm wrong. He has. He looks, um healthy, she thought letting her eyes roam the tall man in black standing impatiently in front of her. Severus now had a touch of gray at his temples, making him look more distinguished. He had also filled out in his cheeks, making his nose not quite as large as before. He looks handsome, Hermione thought with a surprise, and fought to keep from blushing. A quick flash of her memory to nights in the library at Headquarters, sitting on the couch, hands almost touching with the fire casting playful shadows across them both. She startled herself to bring herself back to the present and walked through the gate he was holding open.

Wow, was Severus's first thought as he saw Hermione for the first time since her wedding. The outfit she wore showed the curves time had blessed her in all the right places. He wanted to release the clip in her hair to let it tumble down her shoulders and back as it wanted to and bury his face in its softness. What kind of reaction is that, he quickly asked himself after saying her surname as a greeting. You sound like some kind of lovesick teenager – it was a long time ago and she just lost her husband! Severus added a cutting remark to his greeting and felt better for doing so. Her mind was obviously wandering and when her eyes moved over him, he felt rather uncomfortable. The slight blush on her cheeks said to him that perhaps she was remembering a certain night that, well Snape I seriously doubt that's what caused it. It was probably something else. He cursed himself in his head and waited for her to walk through to shut and ward after her.

They walked the path up to the front doors silently, both lost in their own thoughts and memories. Several times, Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but closed it when nothing came out. She kept hoping he would say something to break the ice, but as he held open the front doors, he still said nothing. She glanced up to his face and thought she saw a fire reflecting in his eyes, but it was gone as quick as she saw it. His usual look of indifference was on his face. Perhaps she imagined it; she thought as he gave the password (hairballs) and sent her to Minerva. She looked back at him as she ascended the stairs. He had an intense look on his face that she couldn't quite read. Before she had a chance to think about it, she was enveloped in a tartan covered hug.

"Hermione, it is so good to see you, even if it is under these circumstances," Minerva said as she released Hermione. It was rare to get a hug from her stern former head of house, but it was very welcome. It felt like coming home.

"Thank you Minerva. I apologize for not visiting as much as I would like..."

Minerva held up her hand as she motioned to a chair in front of her desk and moved her wand to have tea with biscuits. "Enough. You had two children, well three if you counted Ron to look after. You didn't have time for all of that. However, now that you do, I hope to see you with children in tow, out here more often."

Hermione heard the affectionate rebuke with an order at the end of it. "I plan to." And she smiled the first real smile in days and actually felt herself relax. "You know, Rose should be here next term with Harry's son Albus Severus. She wants to take a tour before she comes to make sure she knows where she is going. I have no idea where she got that from," Hermione said smiling as she rolled her eyes in mock disbelief.

Minerva smiled as she envisioned the younger version of Hermione dancing about, so excited about going to school. Rose looked like a carbon copy of Hermione, except for a redder shade to her hair and its straightness. She was lucky not to get the curly frizz, but she did get Hermione's love of all things learning. "And how is she and Hugo doing with their father gone," Minerva asked casually to see her reaction.

The smile froze a little on Hermione's face with the question. "They are, well fine actually. When I told them, they just shrugged and went on. It made me rather upset actually that their father's passing did not have any effect on them." She sighed and put down her tea that Minerva had served her. "Molly did not take it nearly as well. She won't let them out of her sight now, especially Hugo. He's the image of his father, with curly reddish brown hair instead of straight red. The child takes after his uncles Fred and George though in deviousness and creativity. He figured out already how to channel some of his accidental magic and created an eradication system using the twin's firecracker for the garden gnomes. I'm still not sure how he did it, but it is hilarious to see these gnomes try to get into the Burrow garden and is sent flying away on the back of a dragon or some other thing chasing them." Hermione started laughing half way through her story and had her and Minerva both laughing with tears in their eyes at the vision. "I'm thinking Slytherin for him as he is very cunning and will only do things that benefit him in some way. Not a bad way, mind, but in some way. Rose, however, I'm thinking either Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. She had enough of a hard head and courage for the Lions, but the brains and love of knowledge for the Ravens."

They continued for some time talking about some of the children's antics and comparing them with not only their escapades, but the other Weasley children's. It used to cause a pain to talk about Fred in such a way, but Hermione felt it was a tribute to his memory to relive some of their better adventures, like trying to send a toilet seat to Harry in the infirmary when he was hurt playing Quidditch. It didn't even hurt to talk about Ron. She missed the man she fell in love with, but it had been so long since she had been with him, it didn't hurt as much as she thought it would. She said so to Minerva and expressed the sense of relief at his passing.

"Hermione, I don't know everything that went on, but people do change. I know that the man you fell in love with truly loved you, but wasn't always capable of showing or telling you. I am sure he loved his family as well. Just keep that an in your heart and your children's heart as that is who was their father and your husband."

Hermione pondered that and lowered her head to look at her wedding band. Yes, she could do that. She had mourned her best friend already, so her reaction was understandable and not cold like she had thought. Minerva interrupted her train of thought by starting on the subject of the funeral. Hermione smiled gratefully for the change in conversation and started on the list she brought.

It was getting dark by the time Hermione said her last goodbyes to Minerva. As she exited the stairs, she noticed Professor Snape waiting by the front doors to let her out and escort her through the gates. "Well thank you Professor. I appreciate you taking the time to let me out," Hermione said to the dark man. His eyes were as dark as ever and showed no reaction.

"It wouldn't do for Minerva's favorite student to roam the grounds unescorted and unprotected," he drawled silkily as he began adjusting the wards.

"Are you going to the funeral on Saturday," Hermione blurted out and continued quickly before she lost her courage to say the rest. "If so, we are having a gathering afterwards at the Burrow and I'd love a chance to talk to you."

She chanced a look at his reaction and noticed him go completely still for a moment. He looked at her to see if the invitation was sarcastic or just a formality. No, she looked genuine, which he had a hard time believing. Well, she did talk to you before his inner voice said. "It is mandatory but yes, I will be there," he answered, still waiting for her to take back the offer.

Instead, she smiled and it actually reached her eyes. He was stunned at how much it lit up her face to where you didn't even see the circles under her eyes from lack of sleep. She really wanted to talk with him!

"Then, I'll see you there, sir," she responded, still smiling. Even after she apparated, he stood there looking at the spot trying to figure out what just happened.