Here you go folks! I am so pleased with the response to my story so far. You guys are wonderful! The two fine ladies who help me with my story are fabulous as well, and I would totally lost without them!
J.K. Rowling owns it all. Me? Not so much.
Chapter 4
A Spark of Change
Glennis arrived around 3 p.m. the next afternoon after having spent a busy day at the apothecary established by her late great-grandfather, Severus. Father, sons, and grandsons came into the business each offering their knowledge to help the shop grow and expand. Glennis was the first daughter to work in the shop. She had a Master's in Charms, and her work enhanced the research and development of new potions sold at the apothecary.
"Gran, I'm here!" she hollered as she opened the door to Hermione's house. She spotted Poe, the ever present raven, as he sat on his perch and went over to greet him. "You're a love," she cooed as she stroked his feathers.
"Come join me in the sitting room, dear; I felt the wards shift and knew you'd arrived. I have the tea all ready," Hermione replied as she watched Glennis peel off her cloak and come to sit down beside her.
"The love letters today?" she asked, plopping down beside her great grandmother on the sofa, taking the teacup held out to her.
"Not quite yet. I want to show you the letters where things gradually began to change. But, I also want to tell you about an event that happened that was the spark of that change." Hermione settled more comfortably into the sofa cushions. "Before the end of the autumn term, we had an order meeting at Grimmauld Place. Severus and I had a chance to talk outside of the school setting, and it was the turning point of our relationship."
Flashback
The second week of November was bitterly cold, and it seemed the snowfall would never end. An Order meeting had been called for the weekend, and all remaining members were to be present to discuss the upcoming Death Eater inquiries and how Snape would fare in all of it. The Order was determined to ensure Snape was protected at all times from possible incarceration in Azkaban.
Hermione apparated into the park across the street from number 12 Grimmauld Place. As she straightened her clothes, two other cracks of apparition heralded the arrival of Harry and Ron. The trio then made their way to the house, Harry and Ron scuffling in the snow and lobbing snowballs at each other. Hermione shook her head at the pair and cast a quick protego lest she be pelted, surreptitiously casting a spell to make a few snowballs fly at the boys. Their shouts of indignation followed her as she made her way to the front door smiling.
The meeting started not long after their arrival. Minerva, Kingsley, Flitwick, Snape, Arthur and Molly sat round the kitchen table nursing drinks when the threesome entered. Molly immediately stood and began fussing over the teens, deploring how thin they were and that she needed to find some sandwiches to 'fatten them up'. Snape smirked when he caught Hermione's eye as she blushed over Molly's ministrations.
Minerva began the meeting with her usual briskness. The fact that her 'r's' rolled more than usual indicated her agitation over the state of matters. She was surrrrre as she was a McGonagall, Snape would not be rrrrreturrrning to Azkaban. Snape rolled his eyes at her overt display of affection.
Once the meeting had concluded, Hermione hurried to the library where she knew several law books relating to the wizarding justice system were shelved. She wanted to look through them and perhaps take a few back to Hogwarts with her. She was certain she could find some ruling or other that would help Severus circumvent any need to appear at a hearing.
She was tucked up on the couch with books scattered around her deep into her reading and didn't hear the door to the library open. She jerked in surprise at the baritone voice that interrupted her.
"Miss Granger, it is nearly time to return to school."
"Goodness, Professor, you startled me!" Hermione bent to retrieve the book that had fallen from her hand.
"My apologies," Severus stated stepping further into the room and closing the door. "What on earth could you possibly need all those books for?" He approached the sofa and picked one up. "'Wizarding Law Precepts of 1787'? Dry reading even for you."
"I am researching to see if it is even remotely acceptable to try you once again even though you were exonerated the first time. "
"Miss Granger," Severus began.
"Please, call me Hermione. We are alone, and I think we've gotten a bit past the formal address, haven't we?"
Severus sat down on the couch beside her. When he first opened the door, he noticed how slight her figure pouring over the book was. Now that he was closer, he also noticed her hair was not so bushy anymore, and she had filled out in various places. Certainly her face was far more womanly than before. When she first returned from the Horcrux hunt, she was extremely thin and while she had recovered from her ordeal, she still maintained a trim figure (yet he had noticed she could eat like a trencherman). She had also added about two more inches in height since he remembered her as a sixth year but she was still not tall, no more than 165 cm.
"Hermione." The strangeness of using her first name sent a jolt to his gut. "You have so many other things you need to be doing. Researching wizarding law should not be one of them. Minerva has quite a plan set in motion; please let her deal with this. You keep to your regular workload," Severus implored.
"Profess-"
"Severus; you may call me Severus," he interrupted.
Hermione smiled, "Severus. If there is one thing you surely know about me is that I am stubbornly loyal to my friends." Without thinking, she placed her hand over his. "All of my friends. I will not let you be taken away to Azkaban because some overzealous fool at the Ministry is trying to overcompensate for their lack of action regarding Death Eaters in the first place!"
Severus had jerked momentarily when Hermione took his hand, but quickly relaxed as she continued her impassioned speech. He turned her little hand over in his big one so that he held it firmly, noting its warmth and the uncertainty of how to feel at the novelty of a welcome hand in his own.
"Minerva has a plan in place," he reiterated. "I have given written testimony to her about any dark articles I am aware of in the Ministry. It is actually very little; the Dark Lord usually kept me busy making potions and spying at Hogwarts. Anything dark I am aware of has to do with some potions, but then they are potions I have patents for and because they are borderline dark, vials of them are to be kept at the ministry." He squeezed her hand, let go, and stood up. "Now, put those books away and get ready to go." He stepped to the door and opened it, but turned around to face her again.
"Hermione, thank you," he spoke softly. "Your loyalty means a great deal to me."
"You will always have it, Severus," Hermione smiled in response. Clearing his throat, Severus left to room with a swish of his robes. Hermione flopped back on the sofa. Oh dear, she thought. She rubbed the hand that Severus had held. She could still feel the warmth from his hand on hers, and it felt as if he were still holding it. Hermione felt as though the dynamic of their friendship had just shifted. Hermione knew that face-to-face encounters would allow their friendship to grow, but what she couldn't possibly have foreseen was that these encounters would allow something else to grow; something wonderful yet, at the same time, wholly terrifying.
Severus shut the door and leant against it, the breath he was holding whooshing out of his nose. He held up the hand that had held Hermione's, feeling the echo of her hand's presence; he felt the need to visually ascertain that he had indeed let go. How had he allowed himself to get to this point? How had a young and gentle girl like Hermione managed to shred his carefully constructed defences so completely that the mere touch of her hand left him feeling like he had just been hit by the Hogwarts Express? Part of him wanted to sever all ties with the woman (and yes, he admitted she was no longer a girl) and return to the rigid student/teacher protocol that kept him safe from any emotion.
But, he had asked for this….this friendship. He had asked this particular woman to help him learn to be sociable, so if she stripped him of his defences he had only himself to blame. A part of him burned with a hope he hadn't felt since he was 15, and it left him giddy. He closed his eyes wearily before he regained composure. Clenching his fist as though it would imprint the echo of her hand for always, he left the house as quickly as he could.
15 December 1998
Dear Hermione,
End of term is finally upon us. I will finish grading all the blasted course work, return to Spinner's End, settle myself in with a bottle of Firewhiskey and not come out until term begins again in January. The only light I will have during this time is your letters. I am uncomfortable in admitting they have come to mean a great deal to me. Poe will know where to find me, but where will you be for the holidays?
Prior to my descent into my bottle, however is the dratted Yule Ball that Minerva has 'encouraged' me to attend. I will be forced to watch your fellow classmates pour too much contraband liquor into the punch and hope they don't breathe near a candle. I will, however, take great delight in blasting rose bushes apart and taking points from groping couples.
During the ball, it is appropriate for students and teachers to dance. Although I typically refuse to partake, I wondered if you would dance with me? As you know, I only reluctantly participate in social situations or 'spectacles', as I am sure this will turn out to be. The thought that others are scrutinizing our interaction invokes a great deal of embarrassment and anxiousness within me; these feelings are only surpassed by the inevitable pride and amazement I am certain I would feel if you are willing to honour me with a dance.
Good luck with the rest of your end of term exams; we both know you'll do well.
Severus
20 December 1998
Dear Severus,
I am sorry this letter is delayed; you know how I get when end of term exam time is upon me. Thank you for your quick notes at breakfast time each day of the exams wishing me luck. They gave me a chance to smile and put aside some of my nervousness. I also thank you for taking a moment to speak to me in the hall the other day. Your unwavering faith in my abilities means more to me than you could imagine.
I am ensconced in my bed with Crooks revelling over the fact exams are done! I think I did all right. DADA was easy; that Professor Clark doesn't have an ounce of sense in his head. Imagine asking a member of the Golden Trio if she could perform a Patronus. Was he petrified during the entire war or what? You set quite a fiddly potion as well for the final exam. I am not quite sure I added the skrewt dung at the right time and the colour, rather than being cerulean, was more navy-coloured.
Please do not drown yourself in Firewhiskey. Surely you have some research to do? I will be spending the hols at The Burrow, and I can teach Poe where to put letters for safekeeping.
I will be going to the Yule Ball with carbuncle 2, and I would definitely appreciate your rescuing me from his two left feet. He has been hinting at wanting to ask me something and finding the perfect time. I fear he is going to ask me to be his girlfriend, and I honestly do not feel for him as he feels for me.
I understand your feelings about the ball, Severus. You are a singularly private man, and to allow yourself to be scrutinized openly by the students and staff is a big step for you. However, we have been under scrutiny since the end of the war, have we not? Every moment I am in public with a member of the Order or another student is chronicled by that wretched Skeeter woman as yet another notch on my bedpost. You, too, have been vilified by the press and population in general. Could you not look on this as a chance to test new waters? A chance to realize that not all social events are unmitigated bores or chances to scorn and humiliate the participant?
It might be prudent; however, for you to spin a few of your colleagues around the dance floor before you dance with me. As you said, dancing with a student is appropriate, but it might lessen any suspicion of anything more than a student and teacher dancing if they've seen your twinkle toes traipsing about the floor prior to a dance with me. Too cheeky?
I got you a Christmas present. I will have Poe deliver it to Spinner's End on Christmas morning. Please do not feel obligated to return the favor. Sometimes friendship means doing things without expectation of return.
Yours,
Hermione
"What happened at the Ball, Gran?"
"We did have our dance. It was wonderful! Your great grandfather was so light on his feet, and he kept spinning and spinning me. I laughed so much. He was witty and told me the most horrid things about some of the other teachers, and he actually graced me with a smile when we were through. On the day of the ball Poe delivered a gift from Severus as well. It was a gorgeous necklace. I still wear it." Hermione pulled out a delicate chain from her sweater. Hanging from it was an oblong green pendant double wrapped in silver. Glennis fingered it a moment in admiration before Hermione continued. "Our friendship was growing deeper, and I felt as though I was learning to know him far more than I could have hoped for. I liked that idea."
23 December 1998
Dear Hermione,
I hurry to write this so that Poe may deliver it before you leave in the morning. I've only now just returned to my chambers after herding the last of the transgressors (gropers) to their dormitories.
You looked lovely this evening. When you walked into the room on carbuncle 2's arm, I was so blown away by the graceful young woman you have become that I stopped breathing. Of course I started again.* For two long hours I watched you dance with bumbling idiots who had no idea where to put their hands or their feet. It was enormously amusing to watch you turndown that drunken lout Clark when he asked you to dance.
You honoured me more than you know when you consented to dance with me. You dance very well. To find that we could as easily talk together as we write was a pleasant and welcome experience. It was also a quite pleasant and welcome experience to watch the carbuncles faces as we danced. Does Mr. Weasley have problems with his adenoids? I don't think I've ever seen anyone hang their mouth open for so long.
We did not get around to speaking of it, but did Mr. Weasley speak to you regarding the matter you wrote about?
Enjoy your holiday at The Burrow. Hopefully you won't become the victim of some new joke product the twins have invented and will return to the castle as you left.
Severus
26 December 1998
Happy Boxing Day, Severus!
I am lying down after Molly's humongous lunch; three kinds of meat, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and all kinds of pudding. Several members of the Order were invited to join us; why did not you come? I must confess I was disappointed that it was not you each time the door opened and more company arrived.
Later today we are going outside for a huge snowball fight. The twins have been lurking about in the house and back garden; I suspect it has something to do with New Year's Eve.
Molly will have a party then, she asked if you would come. Please do.
Yours,
Hermione
30 December 1998
Dear Severus,
I am sorry if Poe returns to you upset. Pig was feeling amorous and well…
Two more days left of the hols and then school begins again. Your letters while I was away kept me from going spare. There are far too many redheads here and far too many blatant suggestions that carbuncle 2 and I should be together.
Ronald did finally find the time to corner me and ask me to date him. He also attempted to kiss me among some other less than wanted manoeuvres. Once I had hexed him to get him into submission, I made is quite plain that I was not interested in pursuing a relationship beyond that of friends. He was quite put out, and Molly seemed a bit off after that but soon came around.
I will be happy to get to school and begin to revise again. And of course, see you.
Hermione
2 January 1999
Dear Hermione,
Let me first wish you a Happy New Year. This New Year will see you graduated and off to Uni, the dynamic dunderheads finally pried from your apron strings and as for me, if the new year can continue in the same manner the last three months of this year have been, then I will consider it a banner year for me indeed.
I found myself quite unnerved by Mr. Weasley's unwelcome advances and had I been able, I would have apparated to The Burrow and hexed him and Potter (for good measure) into oblivion. I am smug enough to admit I wouldn't mind peeking at your memory of it; I do so love to see a member of 'The Golden Trio' not getting their way, yourself excluded of course…well, these days anyways.
I spent Boxing Day brewing Wolfsbane for St Mungo's and let the time get away from me as I am wont to do when I am working with a fiddly potion. That being said, I must humbly give my regrets to you; I cannot be at The Burrow this evening. Minerva has had a family emergency and has asked me to stay at the castle for the next few days. I am not sure which is worse, being there amongst the red headed contagion or being here with a drunken Hooch, Sinistra and, horror of horrors, Trelawney. The things those women get up to after one too many drinks.
I have an offer, or rather, Minerva persuaded me to offer you a chance to earn extra credit. She has decided that I must offer remedial lessons to the idiots who actually thought that because they made into my advanced class they would not have to work for their grade. I am aghast that they would actually think that I would go easier now that my spying days are over. Unfortunately, Minerva's thinly veiled request means I will have less time to devote to my grading. This brings me to my request: would you be willing to come to my office on the nights I give remedial lessons and assist me with grading?
I await you answer,
Severus
9 January 1999
Happy Birthday, Severus!
A little cat with square markings around its eyes told me today was your birthday, so I wanted to send a little something to help you celebrate. This same cat told me you adore custard tarts and you would be a right pig if you didn't share them with the person who is slaving away doing your grading.
You are a dear friend, Severus, and I hope you have pleasant day!
Yours,
Hermione
9 January 1999
Hermione,
On said person's birthday, one does not have to share if one does not want to.
Severus
p.s. They are delicious, by the way. Sorry about the stain on the corner of the parchment; a blob of custard dropped out of one of the tarts as I was eating it.
*Lionel Hardcastle spoke those words to Jean Pargetter in "As Time Goes By" a popular sitcom borrowed from the BBC. Lionel also adores custard tarts!