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Lunch Invitations
Hermione went about her usual routine after leaving Severus and tried not to think about him. Then she would always find herself reminded of the older Slytherin and would spend the rest of the day considering their interactions. He seemed to have lost much of his bitterness but didn't know how to do anything else so he still went through the motions. Then there were days he didn't speak at all. But then again, she hardly felt social either. It was nice to have something to do while hiding from the rest of the world until she got her own life together. Then it all came together. Snape was self sufficient, she had a firm job offer, and she felt ready to face the world again. She didn't expect to receive an owl over breakfast from her former professor a month after she had left.
Miss Granger,
I never had the chance to properly thank you for your assistance. Would you be amiable to lunch sometime in the near future?
-Severus Snape
"Oh, who's written you Hermione?" Madam Pomfrey leaned over towards her with interest.
"No one really." She hastily stuffed the letter away and became very interested in her bacon.
The Gryffindor didn't respond until that night after having re-written her missive several times until she was satisfied with it.
Sir,
You do not owe me anything, nor do I expect you to continue to bear my presence any longer.
-Hermione.
She wasn't sure why she didn't come right out and decline the invitation, but she had already sent the owl on its way. The next morning at breakfast, another letter was deposited on her toast. Apprehensively, she opened the folded parchment and scanned the spidery script.
Please do not mistake my invitation as repayment, I simply wish to spend a meal with an engaging companion as a change to my usual routine. The invitation still stands at your convenience.
-Severus Snape
Finding no excuse not to go, she pulled a quill out of her hair and a scrap of paper from her pocket to reply right away.
Very well, I could do with getting away from an hour or two. How does Panino's sound, tomorrow at 12:30, just off Diagon Alley?
-Hermione
Madam Pomfrey saw her dash off the note and leaned over to Professor Sprout who then passed the info down the table until Minerva McGonagall heard the news. She glanced down the long table towards the young woman and wondered who she could be so excited to write to. Though she was pleased to see the brunette beginning to return to herself before the war.
As everyone was settling down for dinner, Hermione leaned towards the Headmistress. "Professor, I was wondering if I could take lunch away from the school tomorrow?"
"My dear, you know you don't have to ask permission. But who are you going with?"
Hermione knew her employer was a terrible gossip so she prevaricated. "It's just lunch with an old acquaintance. Maybe try to clear the air."
She desperately wanted to change the subject. "I'll check in with Mr. Filch when I get back."
"He's been doing his job for decades, he can manage without you for a day."
The brunette doubted he could since the castle had never looked as good as it did now, but she took her leave of the Headmistress. "Thank you Professor."
But before she had gotten too far away she distinctly heard McGonagall lean towards Professor Vector and postulate just who she would be dining with. "I heard Lockheart is out of St. Mungos." one tittered.
"Draco has been looking for a nice muggleborn to make himself look better."
"Oh that's just rich." Minerva scoffed and Hermione turned away.
