Chapter 4 "Notice Me"
"What's it gonna take for you to see? To get you to notice me?" -- Zetta Bytes
Hermione was in her sweats, sitting in the comfy armchair. She had been procrastinating thinking about the future, but since the mail had came this morning, it could no longer be put off.
Dear Miss Granger:
Due to the unusual circumstances surrounding this past year, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has canceled all final examinations for students. Although final grades have been canceled for all students, O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. students must take these exams for placement in future classes and careers. Therefore, O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. students are offered two options. The first is to repeat the full year. This option is recommended to those students who missed a portion of the school year for any reason or who feel they might need extra time to prepare. The second option is a two-month review course with the examination taking place in November. This option is only recommended to those students who already feel prepared for the examinations. For those O.W.L. students who choose the accelerated option, they will still be responsible for the material previously covered in their sixth year classes when they rejoin their classmates in November. A review course will be available over the Christmas holidays for those students who feel they need extra help in catching up with their class.
Please send your reply by 21st of July so that we have time to prepare timetables accordingly.
Sincerely,
Headmistress McGonagall
Only ten days left to decide. Hermione did not need anyone to tell her that she didn't need graduate from Hogwarts. She had already received numerous offers from the Ministry and companies wanting her endorsement. But that was not what she wanted. Yes, she had been told her years that she was the cleverest witch of her year, but that was not enough. She had never told the boys how she had always dreamed of being Head Girl. Of course, helping Harry rid the world of Voldemort was more important. But she had been very sad about not returning to the school last year.
Besides, she was going to ask Professor McGonagall if she could use the library at Hogwarts for more research on her book. She had used the Ministry achieves and its library, but Hogwarts had a less biased selection. If she stayed the whole year, she would have plenty of time to research. Of course, she had already written six chapters in the last few weeks.
And what would Hogwarts be like without Ron and Harry? She knew they were not planning to go back. It might be easier to just take the quick course. She could use the next few weeks to read all the seventh year texts and begin to study. Surely November would be doable… Then again… She had to take the N.E.W.T.s. She wanted employers to hire her based on her credentials. Helping vanquish Voldemort was enough to recommend anyone, but that just showed bravery and determination. So whoever hired her would be hiring her because she was part of the Golden Trio. But at least with good N.E.W.T.s, she could feel they were justified in their decision. She hoped. She didn't want people to think she was getting jobs because of her fame. She wanted to deserve it.
She sighed aloud.
"Everything alright, pumpkin?" her dad asked.
"Yeah," Hermione replied.
"Still trying to do decide what to do in the fall?" he smiled. "You have plenty of time. Don't fret. Besides, don't you have a party to get ready for?"
"No." Hermione shook her head. "All these dinners and balls is more than I can take. I owled the boys to let them know earlier. I can't take one more evening out. I mean, don't they get tired of celebrating? This is getting ridiculous."
"There, there. I know you don't want to leave us behind, but you should go. It's not often that your boyfriend can take you to places with dancing and great food every night. Once this stops, it'll probably never happen again." Her mum had entered the room with a plate of fresh biscuits.
Hermione took a triple chocolate one, her favorite, and smiled. "I've had enough parties to last me a lifetime. I wasn't made for fame. I'd rather be at home relaxing in these." She pointed to her sweats.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door; Mrs. Granger went to answer it. Ron, Ginny, and Harry quickly entered the room.
"What's this about your not going out tonight?" Ginny demanded. She looked breathtaking in her emerald robes.
"I'm just tired of all the fawning and hand-shaking. I haven't made any headway with the Ministry officials on equal rights at these parties. They just babble about what a great job we did and run away. It's infuriating!" Hermione thumped the armrest in her anger.
"Now, Hermione," Ron said. "You gotta think strategy. You want to get that book published, right?"
"Of course. What does that have to do with tonight?"
"If you want your book to stay big news, you've got to stay in the papers. Drop hints about your project. They'll eat it up. It's like wizard chess."
Hermione rolled her eyes, but she knew he was right. "Fine. Give me ten minutes. I will make an appearance. But then, I'm coming home and reading."
Eight minutes later, she came down the stairs in royal blue dress robes with her hair managed. Ron commented on how lucky he was that his girl didn't love primping, and they were off. The Grangers smiled as the two couples Apparated from the living room.
Ron had left to get her another glass of champagne, when Hermione heard a smooth voice whisper in her ear, "Saving you from the pack of wolves is he?"
"The what?" Hermione whirled around in confusion to find herself facing Professor Snape.
"That group of young men in the corner practically dying to get your autograph," he smirked. She followed his gaze and sure enough there were a group of handsome men staring at her. She had completely failed to notice their existence tonight or at any function before this.
"I'm surprised that you looked up from your adoring ladies long enough to notice," Hermione retorted.
"For a girl who's supposed to be so clever, I'm shocked you didn't notice them yourself," he said, evading her comment.
"I do hope you're enjoying the flocks of admirers. It'd be such a shame if someone here didn't. Harry only has eyes for Ginny, and Ron…" Hermione felt her voice trail off as she saw what had grabbed Snape's attention. Ron was blatantly flirting with a blonde who was shoving her cleavage in his face.
"Yes. Mr. Weasley is clearly too preoccupied with you to have time for his fans." Snape sounded quite pleased with himself.
"I'd rather have that competition than to hear the reporters shouting our names from every direction," Hermione mumbled.
"Dear, dear." Snape sounded almost gleeful. "Perhaps, Miss Granger, no one informed you that people in love want to proclaim their love. Just look at Ginny and Harry. But then, perhaps you aren't in love with Mr. Weasley? Perhaps you are looking for someone more… intelligent?"
"And those simpering beauties can all follow your explanations of your research?" Hermione quipped.
"Ah, Miss Granger, that's where you make an error. First, you assume that any lady who loves a hero must lack brains. I can assure you that several of the ladies associated with myself are far more scholarly than you could ever hope to be. But then," he smiled wickedly as he taunted her, "I am not looking for love or a life partner. I am merely enjoying myself. That is the difference."
Hermione could not come up with a sufficient reply. It was quite clear that Snape was taking several willing lovers. The thought troubled her. Whatever happened to his devotion to Lily? But that was not all he had said. Although, she was not about to admit it to anyone, Snape's remarks about herself were also distressing. What if she didn't truly love Ron? They did have awful rows… What if…
"Of course, a mere eighteen-year-old should not contemplate marriage," Snape was saying.
"I don't recall saying that I was," Hermione replied.
"That, Miss Granger, is the first sensible thing I've heard you say in a long time." Snape nodded approvingly.
"Why must everyone assume that a relationship leads to marriage?"
"Because fools wish for happy endings."
"Fools wish for a lot of things." Hermione sighed. "I'm not saying it wasn't worth saving the world from Voldemort, but I swear I might just die if they expect me to show up at one more function..."
"What? Not in love with the fame and glory of being a heroine?" Snape raised his left eyebrow in surprise. "Miss Granger, since I have had the displeasure of knowing you, all you have ever done is to seek glory and attention. First, in class with your insipid know-it-all attitude. Then in those harebrain schemes with the Boy Wonders. How can you be such a hypocrite?"
"Professor Snape, that may be the nicest thing anyone has said to me in a quite some time." Hermione chuckled. It felt so good to be insulted instead of praised. Such a nice, realistic change. And Snape after everything was still himself. If Snape had treated her to flattery the world would be upside-down.
Snape looked taken aback. He had really been intending to see her face contort in frustration or her eyes snap fire. After a pause, he ventured, "And, why is that?"
"If I have to hear one more sugar coated compliment, I think I'll scream. Ron had to bribe me even to show up tonight."
"Ah." The corners of Snape's mouth turned upwards. "Promised you a gift? Perhaps a nice, long kiss?"
Hermione scoffed. "He offered me a very Slytherin argument. I am writing a book on equal rights for all magical creatures. Ron pointed out that staying in the public eye will likely pay off when the book comes out."
Snape just nodded so she continued, "I feel that if I think about how all this insanity can help the house-elves and the centaurs… well, it's a small price to pay."
"That sounds very Gryffindor," Snape remarked.
"I didn't say I could think like a Slytherin." Hermione shrugged.
"So you'll become a famous author. How wonderful."
"Well, what I really plan to do is spend all my efforts on working for equal rights. Writing is only a small stage of my plan," Hermione began and started rambling off on her methods and strategies for equal rights. Much to hear surprise, Snape did not shush or belittle her. He actually seemed interested in what she was planning to do.
"I think there are some books you could find useful in the Hogwarts library. I'll see if they can be sent to you," he said half an hour later after hearing every detail about the topics her tome would contain.
"Thank you. I really think the Misuse of Ministry Power about the use of goblins as slaves in the 14th Century is on the fourth shelf from the fireplace about halfway down. I can't find anything like that in the Ministry, of course. And if you or Madam Pince know of any on the topic of the hunting of unicorns in 1724, that'd be very helpful. I really hope to at least outline another four chapters this week. I figure I can write the details as I—"
"Hermione, give it a rest. The poor Professor doesn't need to be lectured on his summer holidays." Ron had returned, belatedly, with two glasses of bubbly. "The poor guy is going to have first years in just a few weeks. Lay off."
Hermione looked ready to explode, but all she said was, "Ron's right. Sorry for talking your ear off, Professor."
Ron chuckled good-naturedly, "I care about the house-elves too, but no one can hold a candle to our Hermione. I don't know why she's even bothering to research. She has all the facts memorized." He gazed at her fondly.
"Undoubtedly," was all Snape said.
"So, Snape, are you still going to be teaching? Surely, you've been offered a job with the Ministry or at a research institute. You know, if you want to work with the Ministry we've some openings in the Auror Department. It's not like it used to be. You could help us start a whole new protocol."
Snape ignored the friendly olive branch and stated, "I've decided to return to Hogwarts. At least for the present. What about you, Mr. Weasley? Will you be returning to complete your last year?"
"Nah. Harry and I decided to go ahead and work for the Aurors. Shacklebolt said that if defeating Voldemort wasn't enough training, nothing would be. 'Course we'll still be doing the training, just not the full three years. I want to start as soon as possible." Ron's enthusiasm was just as strong as Hermione's had been a few moments earlier.
"I can't say that I'll regret your absence in my classroom," Snape replied.
"Likewise," Ron chuckled. "Guess it worked best all around."
"Indeed."
Hermione stood awkwardly near the two men, having watched them interact amicably for the first time in her memory. Suddenly, she had no desire to admit that she would be returning to Hogwarts for any period of time. Professor Snape seemed quite relieved at their supposed absence. Not that it matters, of course, she thought.But I haven't told Ron yet, and this doesn't seem to be the best time…
Then a lovely tall brunette with violet eyes came up to Snape and linked her arm in his. "Severus, darling. I was wondering if you were ever going to come back to me."
"Marguerite, these are some former pupils of mine: Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley." Snape then introduced them to his "friend" Marguerite Holworth. Hermione had a sneaking feeling that the beauty had walked over to gain the introduction, not to look for Sev-Snape.
"Well, Snape sure has come up in the world if a lovely lady like you is with him. He's quite a lucky guy," Ron delivered the compliment smoothly, and Miss Holworth blushed. Hermione strained not to roll her eyes; Ron was becoming a bit over the top lately thanks to all of his admirers. Suddenly she stared into Snape's face and had the crazy thought that he shared her sentiments. Her lips curved in a suppressed smile.
"Well, Miss Holworth, we would be cruel to keep you from Professor Snape any longer. It was a pleasure to meet you." Hermione and Ron smiled and walked away. Still, she had the most peculiar feeling that Snape was still watching her.
Hermione paused in front of a fountain off to the side of the room and pulled Ron near her. "Ron, I need to go home."
"Now?" He looked concerned.
"I'm just so tired. I know it's only ten." She started to smile. "But tell you what. If you still want to go to any party tomorrow night, I'll go with you-as your date."
"Really?" Ron's eyes widened in surprise.
"I just decided you're right, and so was I. It's nobody's business that we're together, but that doesn't mean we have to keep it hidden."
"Sure you don't want to hang out with us tonight? Harry and I are going to drive a car-Muggle style." Ron obviously thought this would be a great adventure.
"I don't know that I'd trust you to still have me alive at the end of the night," Hermione laughed. "I think I'll just have a quiet evening at home."
"Well… goodnight, then." Ron squeezed her hand tightly.
"Goodnight, Ron." Hermione leaned forward and gave him a long, passionate kiss. "See you tomorrow."