A/N: I know! It's been...a really really long time. And I could give you a whole list of reasons why, but I won't. I also won't make promises as to when I'll update again, I will however try to do so soon. A short chapter here, but it's something at least ;-) Disclaimer: I own nothing. If I did I'd not be broke :-p
Three days later Hermione woke to find a stack of books, a bag from Asda, a few labeled potion bottles and a folded sheet of parchment on the small dining room table. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes she plucked the parchment off the stack and opened it.
Miss Granger,
Here are the books as promised, as well as many muggle items the Headmaster no doubt forgot to see that the safe house was equipped with. Do take care to not waste the potions needlessly, I do not know when I will be able to replace them.
Direct, and to the point. At least it wasn't in the same red ink she was used to seeing his handwriting in. Setting the note down she picked each book up one at a time. A smile crossing her features as she realized they were the books she would have needed to take her NEWTs. Often she had wished they had stayed in school for their seventh year rather than deciding they could finish when Voldemort was gone, but now what's done was done. Lifting each bottle she examined them carefully, they were fairly standard and at least nothing she would need to ask for help on at least . Dittany, Blood Replenishing Potion, Pain Relief Potion, Dreamless Sleep, and with a laugh she read the last bottle. It was a potion to be added to her shampoo, the label simple read "Add to shampoo to tame the hair".
Collecting the bottles she took them to the bathroom and stored them away, and returned to the bag. With a smirk she noted the undetectable extension charm as she stuck her arm in and there was seemingly no bottom. Pulling out the first object she grabbed it was a bar of chocolate. With a content sigh she set it on the table and continued. Various food items were pulled from the bag, not one but three hair brushes and two combs, a full pack of hair elastics. When she pulled out the tampons and the bag of pads she turned four shades of red before realizing that no matter how embarrassing the thought of her Potions Professor buying her sanitary products was, he had to have gone through the store to buy them. Setting them aside she carefully picked the bag up and tipped it towards her a cd player and a small stack of cds slid out of the bag. She had never pegged Severus Snape as the kind, thoughtful type. Oh she knew how he walked both sides of the line for them. She knew how many times he had saved their lives, how often he risked his own without a second thought, but kind and thoughtful wasn't something she had ever added to his list of traits. Once everything was put away she pulled the journal simply labeled with a small potion bottle towards her and plucked the quill from it's resting spot as she opened to the first blank page.
Professor,
Thank you so very much for the delivery. I'm only sorry I wasn't awake to thank you properly. I can't tell you how much it all means to me. How are you doing sir? How are the others progressing? Is there anything I can do from here to help?
Hermione Granger
Not expecting a reply anytime soon she set the Journal back in its place and glanced out the window with a sigh. She supposed she should eat something today, perhaps read a book or three. A hobby. What she needed was to come up with a hobby. Grabbing the closest thing to her she flipped the cover open absently and began writing.
Possible Hobbies
Writing
Drawing
Painting
Instrument of some sort
It was at that moment that the very book under her hands began to warm and she found, much to her embarrassment, that she had been writing her list in the notebook she'd only just put away. With a groan she watched as the words formed on the page.
Miss Granger,
While I understand your sheer lack of anything to 'do', I must ask that you resist writing nonsense in this journal. I'm sure there should be a blank one in one of the drawers in the kitchen, not linked to any of your professors. As I'm sure you are now aware these warm as a message is left, and fishing in my pocket in the middle of class is not something I chose to do regularly.
To answer your questions, no there is nothing to my knowledge that you can do at the moment. Nothing has changed, and how I am matters not. However as you limited your questions to only three, I shall appease you and tell you that I am currently wishing I had set these dunderheaded idiots to book work today and not a practical.
As to your hobbies, read your books and study for Merlin's sake isn't that what you lived for in school? Make a list and I shall attempt to acquire whatever you need as soon as I am able. As term has begun again, I am not certain when exactly that shall be.
With a grin, Hermione considered her next words carefully.
Professor Snape,
As I remember your class quite fondly I know that you are no doubt either brooding over a student at the moment or sitting behind your desk appearing thoroughly bored while completely prepared to stop a cauldron from exploding. What if I told you that how you are does matter?
I'm surprised you remember my study habits, it's widely known I am not your favourite student. However, yes I do love to study, but there are simply only so many hours in a day that even I can do that. I'll make a list as soon as I figure out what I need. Thank you again for everything.
Hermione Granger
The reply was nearly instantaneous, she knew she shouldn't get used to it. He was a busy man and she knew there was no way he could continue to entertain her like this all the time.
Miss Granger,
Did I not just inform you that I do not wish to be fishing about in my pockets all day long? I have been a spy for longer than you've been alive, I know many things. I'm going to take it that the books I've left are beneath your level if you've nothing to do but pester me. I shall do better to challenge you next time if that's the case. If you don't wish to read why not tend the garden out back? Be certain to challenge your body as well as your muscles, you never know when you will be needed on the front lines again so to speak. And for heavens sake girl, don't presume to know what my favourite anything is.
PS. Go outside the weather is decent for a change.
Professor Snape,
Did you just tell me to go outside? I could happily stay inside for the next year or two after two years camping with the boys thank you very much.
Miss Granger,
. Enjoy the sun without worrying about those two idiots harming themselves.
Professor Snape,
They are not idiots...simply not quite as intelligent as me. And fine! I'm going!
And she did. Outside into the small back yard where she found a shovel, watering can, and a small box with various packets of vegetable seeds next to the door. He'd given her something to do after all. With a smirk she set to work.
Severus glanced up at his class, carefully concealing the small grin that formed each time the journal warmed under his hand. He'd never admit it to anyone that asked, but he had enjoyed their short back and forth. He knew she was going to be bored and lonely. Albus may write now and then if he thought about it or if she asked him something directly. Poppy may check in on her now and then, but he knew that neither would offer her the conversation she desired. Yet another task he would take on his plate, though at least this one may prove some small measure of entertainment.