Disclosure: JK Rowling created and rightfully owns Harry Potter. I simply aim to give you a few happy minutes waiting for the movie to begin, as we imagine our favorite book characters living on past Deathly Hallows.
January 1999
Sunday, 3 January 1999
Dear Hermione,
Our past is why it was painful in September to remind you that I am still the same person. I was cruel and vindictive to you, and you could probably list more adjectives, as well. I, and not some other person. I wish I could blame those years on someone else named Severus Snape, but I can't. I regret plenty from my past, but at this moment, hurting you is very near the top. You deserved so much better from me. You were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Minerva has a phrase for you; did you know that? "Untimely born," she calls you. It's the horrible game of what if. What if you hadn't been born around the same time as Harry? What if I could have been a better person? All I can do is tell you that I'm sorry. It grieves me to know that some of your Occlumency skills shield you against memories of me.
What is it that you wrote? "We didn't get the lives we wanted. Or maybe we just haven't gotten them yet?" That attitude from my beautiful, brilliant, witch friend is why I am looking forward to 1999.
Your friend,
Severus
Would it always be this painful? Everywhere he turned, there was someone he had hurt. Just when he thought he could possibly build a future with Hermione, she was remembering him as her horrible teacher. Of course, it wasn't as if he could hide his past from anyone, least of all Hermione. Merlin, he wanted that future with Hermione! He went to bed that night hoping that Harry's words would continue to ring true: "you never lost her."
Classes resumed the next day. He did not allow his concern for Hermione to derail his classes or Potions Club, but she was always on his mind. How could she not be on his mind? When Columbina flew into the Great Hall like normal on Sunday night, he felt a rush of relief. He smiled when he untied the letter and also found a small box. He opened the box to find a shrunken bottle of brandy. He would enlarge that privately. Obviously, she wasn't too mad at him if she sent him a birthday present, he reasoned.
Wednesday, 6 January 1999
Dear Severus,
You can now call me your "put things into perspective" friend. I am allowed to feel hurt and melancholy at times. I was not asking for you to recount your past sins, Severus! This is my problem and not yours! While we're playing what if, we can ask what if I had a stronger backbone? We didn't get the lives we wanted, but I'm pretty damn happy at the moment, and I thought you were, too. Without your past, you're not you. And while I'm glad that you are now a nicer version of yourself, I like who you are, period. And I like who I am, even though I had a mean Potions professor growing up. You could have opened every clam, and you would indeed have found a memory of yourself hidden in one. One memory that I have to hide. And it's not anything as ridiculous as a cross word in Potions. It is the memory of you dying.
Well, aren't I grouchy? But, I sent you a bottle of brandy for your birthday, so hopefully you broke into that before you started reading! Rather more conventional than a patent as a gift, don't you think? I asked my father for advice; he told me which brandy to buy. I think finding out that wizards like brandy raised his opinion of the entire wizarding world. Well done!
Before I forget, I have attached my next stage of research for the Wolfsbane, which will be to make it suppress the physical transformation. I think Teddy will still be incapacitated for two days or so as the potion takes over, but he won't show the physical symptoms.
By the way, you didn't tell me the results of the poker game, which you promised. Luckily, however, Minerva recounted it with loving detail. She quite enjoyed getting you drunk and making you sing "God Save the Queen" when you lost. I think I'll tell my father you know "God Save the Queen." His opinion of wizards will go up a further notch!
Happy Birthday, dear friend!
Your friend,
Hermione
Well, he wanted his headstrong Gryffindor back. She was back.
He leaned over to Minerva. "I will get you for this, Minerva."
Minerva chuckled. "You can try, Severus. Maybe I should send her the memories. You have a lovely singing voice. I'm sure she'd like to hear it."
On Minerva's other side, Filius was laughing.
Severus scowled past Minerva at Filius. "What the hell are you laughing at, Filius? You got so drunk you told Poppy you wanted to have her children."
Filius stopped laughing. "Let's just say we are not at our best while drunk and leave it at that."
Minerva laughed. "You two can leave it at that. I, however, will be holding it over both of your heads for years to come."
Severus smirked at Minerva. It was hard to be angry with her. "Perspective," Hermione had written. Too true: It was all about perspective. Last year, he would have given anything to have Minerva on his side again. She was back, just like Hermione, and if he had to put up with her teasing him every once in a while, so be it.
Sunday, 10 January 1999
Dear Hermione,
Thank you for my birthday gift. The brandy is indeed excellent!
Are you sleeping better at night? I am seeing my headstrong Gryffindor once more. She had been lost for a little while. I am glad you are "pretty damn happy." I'm pretty damn happy, too.
I have reviewed your notes for your next goal. It is ambitious, obviously. I will continue to review your notes as you send them. I have commented on your latest work, and it is attached to this letter.
I am also going to work on another project. It is actually your original project. It is my hypothesis that when you eventually find a cure for lycanthropy, you are going to need a clean slate, so to speak. I want to see if my Sixth and Seventh Years, along with myself, can develop a potion to remove the magical signature of hexes from a wizard. If you can apply a cure where there is no remaining magical signature, then I think you have a shot at a complete cure. Otherwise, I think the best you will achieve is a better monthly preventative, because the magic of the hex, or bite in Teddy's case, will always be in the victim. We will keep brewing Wolfsbane, and we will test your potions along with you, but we will also work on my theories. I also feel the need to do this for George. He came for a short visit on Christmas day, which you probably know. I would like it if he could repair the ear I hexed. He might even be a good test for us, because in his case we know exactly the hex used.
I noticed that you are grouchy with me around the same time every month. I took the liberty of brewing a potion for you. I am a Potions Bastard, after all.
Your friend,
Severus
She was going to be absolutely livid with him for teasing her like this, he knew, but he did love it when Hermione was fiery. He loved her however he could get her, and he knew it.
Wednesday, 13 January 1999
Dear Severus,
You are an absolute arse. I don't know what's worse: that you sent me a vial labeled "PMS Relief", or that it was filled with chocolate. You think you're so funny. Five points to whoever annoys you the most.
Yes, I am sleeping better at night. Of course, I am staying up later plotting your revenge. But when I sleep, I don't awaken because of nightmares. My little clams are shut very tightly, thank you very much.
Have I told you how many compliments I get on my hair? It's almost enough to make me forget what an arse you are. When you sent me the potion, it was only about a week before people left for the holidays. Everyone came back and took notice of my hair. I am now "the Mudblood with nice hair." I'm moving up in the world! Do people notice your hair? It looks really nice, too! You are now "the Potions Bastard with nice hair."
I like your plan of testing your theory along with the Wolfsbane improvements. My latest notes are attached. In all seriousness, I have no doubt that you will succeed.
I saw something in the store and thought of you. It's in the little box with this letter. That's not true, actually I transfigured it from memory. Enjoy!
Your friend,
Hermione
With great trepidation, Severus opened the little box that Columbina had delivered. Thankfully, he had waited until he was in his sitting room before he opened the box. He groaned as he pulled out the miniaturized red handbag. She got him back. He smiled despite himself. There were benefits to having a history with someone, even if the history meant she had seen a perfect imitation of him wearing a dress and a hat and swinging a red handbag at his hip. Phineas rolled his eyes at Severus as Severus began to laugh out loud while holding the tiny purse.
Sunday, 17 January 1999
Dear Hermione,
You got me back. How is it that I am surrounded by Gryffindor women that can hold such embarrassing things over my head? I noticed you did not patent my PMS cure. Did it not work?
I am always so surprised that you use the word, "Mudblood," when you write to me. Does it not bother you? You know that I do not think of you like that, don't you?
Exploded cauldron count is up to thirteen. Second Year Nicholas Flamel Hufflepuff decided to experiment a little. If two rat tails in the Hair Raising Potion are good, surely three would be even better, right? He will have hair again soon, so Madam Pomfrey tells me. I would say he is too young to be experimenting, but I'm writing to you, therefore it would fall on deaf ears. I probably could have vanished that potion before it exploded, but I hesitated. While I was considering which would be better for his education, it went ahead and exploded. Let's hope being bald is great for his education.
I am sending you some books to help with your research. I went through my library and found some titles that your library may not have. Standard unnecessary warnings about taking care of my books apply.
Sleep well, beautiful Gryffindor.
Your friend,
Severus
PS, Monday - I gave five points to the Head Girl. She makes Percy Weasley look like a slacker. She drives me crazy. She has Ministry of Magic written all over her. Think Umbridge, "Tut, tut!"
Wednesday, 20 January 1999
Dear Severus,
"Tut, tut!" Yes, I know your Head Girl. Ginny Weasley has had a fair few things to say about her this year, as well. I'm surprised Ginny hasn't hexed her yet. She's showing remarkable maturity this year!
Nicholas Flamel Hufflepuff sounds like a certain half-blood Slytherin I know more than he sounds like me! So you tell me – did you do the right thing for his education? Did you ask him for a report on why his cauldron exploded? I would love to read that.
Thank you for your latest notes and the books. They will be helpful. Oops! I just spilled imaginary tea on all of them. Standard apologies apply. Really, you are such a prat to think I might possibly mess up your books.
The word, "Mudblood," does not bother me. It means nothing to me. You know it doesn't, or I wouldn't use it when I write to you. And of course I know you don't think of me like that. But you said it yourself – prejudice didn't die with Voldemort. I just have better things to do with my life than try to change my fellow Pureblood U. students by fighting a war of words.
Why did you call me beautiful?
Your friend,
Hermione
Sunday, 24 January 1999
Dear Hermione,
I have included Nicholas Flamel Hufflepuff's essay on why the extra rat tail caused an explosion. He actually figured it out. You wouldn't believe what answers I've received on this kind of post-explosion essay in the past. "Because I didn't follow instructions" is my favorite. They actually think it's the instructions that are magical, not the potion ingredients. I refuse to believe that the student most like myself is a Hufflepuff, but I concede that there's something to that statement. If that's true, then yes, I did the right thing. And I bet I can look forward to a few more explosions.
"Imaginary tea." Aren't you clever? Fine, I will stop asking you to take care of my books. I know the following words are unnecessary, too: the books are important to me. I've actually never leant my books out before.
Why did I call you beautiful? I thought that would be self-explanatory for the Brightest Witch of the Century. Because you're beautiful, Hermione.
Sleep well, brilliant Hermione. By the way, I wrote, "brilliant," because I think you're brilliant. And I wrote, "Hermione," because that's your name.
Your friend,
Severus
Wednesday, 27 January 1999
Dear Severus,
Five points to Nicholas Flamel Hufflepuff! That was an amazing essay. And I insist you tell him that the points are from me. I want you to let me know if he faints. He looked very close to fainting at Christmastime. Is he always that shy? Were you that shy as a student?
I almost feel bad about teasing you about your books. Then I remember my vial of PMS chocolate, and the feeling passes. Thank you for trusting me with your books. I care about my books and would be similarly hesitant to loan them. Did you get to see my little library in my dorm room? It's nothing to yours obviously, but I am proud of it. How long did it take you to amass such a great collection as yours?
My research is going very slowly. I knew this would be the case, but how I wish I could solve this quickly! Tell me the longest you've ever worked on creating a potion. Give me some frame of reference to give me perspective.
You are a very sweet smart arse. I rarely feel beautiful or brilliant, but it's nice to hear.
Be well, dear Severus. I wrote, "dear," because you're dear to me. And I wrote, "Severus," because that's your name.
Your friend,
Hermione
Sunday, 31 January 1999
Dear Hermione,
This will be another long one, so pour a cup of tea. But you asked the questions, so you only have yourself to blame.
Nicholas Flamel Hufflepuff, the poor bald genius, almost fainted. I found him as we were leaving dinner tonight and I said, "Mr. Jeffers, I was impressed with your essay regarding your recent cauldron explosion. I let Miss Granger read the essay, and she, too, was very impressed. She said that you deserve five house points, so five points to Hufflepuff from Miss Granger." He was so still I was sure that blood had ceased to flow to his brain. But he pulled it together at the last moment and nodded, then practically ran from the Great Hall. I do have a soft spot for him. I was not shy, but I didn't have many friends with which to talk much. And I was studious, which lent itself to quiet corners in the common room or library. But if I had ever been given house points, I would not have fainted.
I did not get to see your library when I visited Bristol. I imagine we have many of the same titles, but I would guess you have some feminine titles that I don't have. You know, to enjoy with your chocolate. I would like to see it. I would very much enjoy visiting Bristol without the stress of wondering if you are going to hex me on sight. Regarding my collection, are you asking me how old I am? I just turned 39, so I guess it has taken me 39 years to amass my collection.
Research is, by nature, very slow. The longest it took me to complete a new potion was six years. It was very complex, and I was working alone. It was, however, not as complex as curing lycanthropy. This will not make you happy, but I have actually been thinking of a goal for you to set your sights on. Teddy has a loving family with Harry and the Weasleys and a good support system. It is Hogwarts that you need to be concerned about. I would make it my goal to have Teddy in a great position by age 11 so that Hogwarts is a good experience, without having to make excuses every month as to why he is incapacitated. Eleven years is a long time, but you need to be mentally prepared for it to take that long. You also need to see this as a long-term project so that you have the freedom to work on other easier projects along the way to give your mind a break. It will definitely be a marathon. You should communicate this to Harry and Mrs. Tonks, as well. They need to have a realistic view of how long this could take.
I am very proud of my Potions Club. We began my hex signature research by brainstorming on Tuesday. They are consumed. They come up to me in the corridors with their latest thoughts. They are working with each other, house affiliations be damned. Last night, the six Seventh Years sat together at the Gryffindor table for dinner. Also, we brewed Wolfsbane again on Thursday night. One pair of Seventh Years created a correct potion. I delivered that potion, flavored with anise to Mrs. Tonks yesterday.
Sleep well, my beautiful and brilliant Hermione.
Your friend,
Severus
Author's Note: We're half way through their year now! To those of you who have reviewed, Thank You! I can't reply to some reviewers who have the PM option turned off, but I wanted to let you, too, know that I appreciate your comments.