Hey every one! Soz this took a little longer i needed to get it just right and i hope i did. I think you'll all find this chapter very interesting...and that's all i'm telling ya!!!
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Chapter 8 - Halloween
After the 'incident' as Hermione like to call it, in the Great hall she had kept clear of Severus for a little while. After talking to Ginny about what happened she laughed.
"You grabbed his-"
"Yes ok I did. But he was winding me up so I kinda took it as though he was an attacker…" she had mumbled quietly. Ginny had shaken her head and explained what she should have done.
He would speak to her but he would take a sideways stance, blocking his nether regions from her invasion. The first time it had happened Hermione almost burst out laughing.
"Hermione? Hermione! Herms are you listening?!" Ginny's voice rang through her ears. Jumping she shook her head and looked wide eyed at her red headed friend.
"Gin you shouldn't make a person jump when they are deep in thought!" she exclaimed. Rolling her eyes Ginny stood and walked over to her friend.
"You aren't still thinking about what happened 2 weeks back are you?" she asked. Hermione looked at her to reprimand her, but looked away when she discovered the truth. Ginny scoffed "Oh Herms! This is stupid!" she exclaimed. Hermione sighed.
"I know, but I can't help feeling guilty. He was really in pain!" she told her. Ginny laughed.
"Any bloke is when you grab his-"
"But anyway!" Hermione interrupted, "He said no hard feelings but I can see it still bothers him," she explained.
"Hermione, every man is quiet about down below, because of sizes and everything…" Hermione laughed, "But, he will get over it eventually…tell you what why don't you come to ours on Friday night, Harry's telling James, Mike and Rosie about their Grandparents and your times at Hogwarts. It'll be Halloween, all the kids will be at the feast and you'll be back for Quidditch the day after before you know it!" she told her.
Hermione smiled at her friend and nodded.
"Thanks Gin, it'll be a good break for me. Plus, I haven't seen the kids for ages," she finally said. Ginny nodded and gave her friend a hug.
"I gotta go Herms, James is with my mum and you now how much he winds her up some times," she said. Hermione chuckled and nodded.
"I'll see you on Friday night," she said, opening the door for her to exit.
Friday morning came along and Hermione was found bright and early signing out the last student that was fit enough to go. Slipping out the room she made her way down to the Great Hall with a slight spring in her step. She was really looking forward to seeing all her friends that night. Mike and Rosie were so cute and so much like their father it was so funny. Ron and Luna had brought them up well, and she could think of no other family as good as them.
Walking past a couple of students on their way to their first class early she walked into the Great Hall and up to the head table, taking her place near the potions master.
"Morning Severus," she said chirpily, filling her bowl with porridge and putting a big blob of jam on top. Severus had always said that the jam spoiled it, making it too sweet, but as a small girl she had adored it.
"Morning," he said darkly, making her chuckle. Severus, she had noticed from being his colleague for a month or so, was never a morning person. He sipped on black coffee whilst chewing on a small piece of toast, reminding her of the times Harry and Ron had stayed up late every night after Voldemort was killed. He was the only professor to drink coffee she had also realised. And thought it was because of his muggle father.
Taking a mouthful of her porridge she looked around the hall at all the decorations planted on every table and on every wall. Swallowing she grinned to herself and sighed contently before returning to her breakfast.
"Why are you so…cheerful…this morning," Severus asked, saying cheerful as though it was Voldemort himself. She looked at him and smiled.
I'm going to Harry and Ginny's tonight for dinner. So I'll be missing the feast," she said. He frowned.
"And this is good because?" she rolled her eyes.
"Because I'll be seeing my friends again. I haven't seen Ron and the kids for ages!" she exclaimed. He nodded.
"And friends are so hard to come by," he mumbled, sipping from his coffee. She frowned.
"Why are you so bothered anyway?" she asked. He looked back at her.
"Me? Bothered? I think you're mistaken Hermione," he said sarcastically, She sighed.
"You're just sore because you'll have to sit next to Trelawney," she said quietly, his eyes widened.
"What?"
"Well, when I don't sit here Sybil takes my place so she can preach to Minerva how she'll die and what not," she explained. Severus' eyes flicked to the woman in question, who was sat at the end of the table near Hagrid who was obviously uncomfortable with being sat with her. He quietly groaned and closed his eyes.
"Don't leave me with her for a whole…how long is the feast now?!" he asked, she smiled,
"About an hour or so…" she told him, he winced.
"Don't leave me with that old bat for an hour Hermione! That'll be torture!" he exclaimed. She giggled.
"Well you're going to have to because I promised Ginny that I'd take a night off and go visit," she said. He sighed and leant back in his chair.
"I'll just have to miss it then," he mumbled to himself, causing her to frown and look back at him.
"You can't be on your own on Halloween! There's more than one reason to celebrate tonight!" She exclaimed, and he scoffed.
"Oh please Hermione. I have had no other reason to celebrate his death any other night of the year like all the others have so why should tonight be any different?" he asked.
"Because he was killed twice on the same night, just years apart." She said he frowned.
"So that gives me reason to join in with the festivities. The reason that my so called 'Lord' was finally gone gives me a reason to jump for joy. I'm sorry but I have always spent Halloween on my own," he explained. She shook her head.
"Well…how about you come up to my quarters and we can have a drink or something before I go?" she asked with a shrug, he raised an eyebrow at her question.
"A drink Hermione?" a red blush appeared on her cheeks.
"I meant between friends! I meant so you aren't on your own all night!" she exclaimed quickly, he chuckled.
"I appreciate it Hermione, but I'd rather stay in my –"she shook her head,
"No Severus. I insist you come. Come to the hospital wing around 5 o clock and we can have a glass of wine or something. Sound fare?" she asked. He sighed and finally nodded.
Smiling Hermione stood and patted him on the shoulder.
"I'll see you later then," she said, smiling and walking from the table.
"I'll see you later," he said, watching her leave the hall.
At about 4:45pm Severus found himself at the doors of the hospital wing. He had slowly started to make his way up from the dungeons. He wan never known to be a man who would feel nervous over something so small, but his stomach felt like a thousand bats had been let lose in the pit of it. He breathed deeply and slowly as he walked into the long room and towards her office.
Knocking on the door he waited until he heard a small "Come in!"
Opening the door he walked in and closed it behind him. Turning around he stumbled when he saw who was sat in the chair.
Hermione was sat there, but instead of her usual healer robes, she was wearing a pink off the shoulder jumper and bootleg black jeans with heeled boots. Her curls were down and lay across her bare shoulders in brown waves. In his opinion she looked absolutely beautiful.
Looking up Hermione smiled at him. "HI! Wow, you're about 10 minutes early! If you were on a date you would defiantly please a lady!" she exclaimed with a giggle, standing and walking over to the portrait that held her quarters behind.
"Amare per sempre faro" she whispered, the portrait nodded and opened. Leading Severus up the stone steps to her quarters she removed the wards and opened the door for him. "Welcome to châteaux de Hermione," she said, a small smile on her face.
Walking in he looked around appreciatively, the room was in itself so much like you'd expect Hermione's home to be. Calm colours, wooden bookshelves and clean floors.
"Please take a seat, I'll be back in a sec," she said, walking from what must have been her living room and into another room.
Seeing the cream sofa he sat slowly in the leather seat and felt himself sink into the soft cushions. He felt uncomfortable being in a different environment, but when she came back with a bottle of wine and two glasses and sat beside him he seemed to melt into the situation.
"Hope you like red wine. My parents buy me a bottle every time they go to France and this is said to be the best one they have." She said, pouring him a glass and handing it to him. Taking a sip he nodded slightly when the sweet taste of the wine soaked his mouth.
Wines like this he loved because they were sweet and fruity which white or English wines were completely different. These were just sour and boring, and though he may be a sour man he did not enjoy the taste.
Leaning back in her seat Hermione sighed at her comfort. She was glad to be out of her healer robes and into something she felt looked nice on her and made her look good. She had gotten the jumper for her 21st birthday off her parents. It was a baby pink and cashmere which felt soft against her skin. Off the shoulders and three quarter sleeves. Her jeans she had gotten the Christmas before along with her boots which Ginny had called her 'Hooker Heals'. She had placed a spell on them so no matter how much she stood in them or walked in them they would still be snug and comfortable on her feet.
"So, why don't you go to the feast anymore?" she asked, taking a sip from her glass. He sighed and looked up at her.
"There is no reason," he said. She frowned.
"Now that's not the real reason is it?" she asked, giving him a look. He sighed again and leaned back with her.
"Sometimes I do not feel welcome there," he said quietly. She frowned.
"Why? You took part in the 2nd war and if it weren't for you many more people would have died!" she exclaimed. He scoffed.
"But I still bare the mark. Maybe it has faded to almost nothing since he is dead but it is still there and people see that as an act of disgrace," he explained. She shook her head in disgust.
"Well they're all wrong if that's what they think! What you did took guts and real courage! I know I wouldn't be able to do that!" she said. He smiled.
"I'm sure you would have Hermione. Any Gryffindor would have been able to," he said, she cocked her head to the side innocently.
"Well you're just a Gryffindor in Slytherin territory!" she grinned earning a grimace off him.
"I am no Gryffindor Hermione I'd thought you'd see that by now!" he said, she giggled and sipped her wine.
An hour later Hermione and Severus had left her quarters and were heading for the entrance hall. She would be walking to the gates and then aperating from there.
Arriving outside the main doors she stopped and turned to him as he stopped in front of her.
"I've really enjoyed myself Hermione, Thank you," he said. She nodded and smiled.
"Thanks to you as well. I didn't think I'd find anyone to…share my wine with," she said, laughing. Smiling a little he nodded and turned to walk to the dungeons.
Suddenly she grabbed his hand and pulled him around and into a hug.
"Happy Halloween I guess," she said, wrapping her arms around him.
Shocked he stood there for a second before slowly wrapping his own arms around her petite form. She felt right in his arms and he in hers.
Pulling away he gave her a bright smile. Smiling softly to herself she stood on her tiptoes and gave him a small peck on the lips, shocking him even more and making his eyes widen.
"I'll see you tomorrow morning," she whispered, pulling out of his arms and towards the doors.
Watching after her he felt his heart beat quickening and his lips burnt where she had pressed her own against them. They were warm and tender and soft. Feeling utterly powerless at her kiss he slowly made his way down to his quarters, his mind playing the picture of her lips over and over again.
Apperating to the gate of Harry and Ginny's home in Godric's Hollow, Hermione sighed to herself. Why did she have to go and kiss him! A simple hug or a pat on the back would have done! But a kiss!
Shaking her head she opened the gate and walked up the pathway to their front door. It was a lovely family home. A perfect place to bring children up and give them the safety they all deserve. James loved the town they lived in, there were plenty of wizarding kids who he could play with in the park or outside his home and they wouldn't have to worry about a thing.
Of course when Voldemort was still around you couldn't let your kids' breathe on their own with fear of them getting captured but now he was gone the streets were more or less safe again.
Knocking on the door, Hermione waited until she saw a red blur in the window. The door opened to her best friend.
"Herms! Glad you could make it!" Ginny exclaimed, puling her into a hug. Patting her on the back, Hermione stepped in and closed the door behind her, shrugging off her leather jacket and woollen scarf and placing them on the hook beside the door. She could see James' little green over coat and Ginny's mink coat that Hermione had gotten her from America. Also Harry's Work robe was hung there for when he needed to rush out the house.
Walking into the living room she was bombarded with three happy faces jumping on her.
"AUNTIE MIA!!!" three voices yelled. She laughed and hugged them all tightly to her. Her Godchildren were her world and were more or less like her own. Mike and Rosie were older and clung to her like glue, and James was such a little charmer. They all worked together to melt her heart and it defiantly worked.
"Kids! What did I tell you about jumping on Aunt Hermione when she walked in the room?" Ginny exclaimed, placing her hands on her hips in true Weasley style. Three voices giggled together.
"Sorry!" they yelped running to be with their parents.
Chuckling Hermione stood again and walked over to where Harry was sat.
"Happy Halloween Mr Potter!" she said, pulling him into a hug. He grinned and squeezed her.
"The favourite day of the year!" he exclaimed, James crossed his arms and frowned.
"Not as good as Christmas Daddy!" he said, earning a chuckle from all the adults in the room.
"Well just think about it Jamie boy, if I hadn't of told Voldemort to go away…we wouldn't have a Christmas," he explained. James' eyes widened.
"It's a good job that you did then isn't it Daddy?" he asked. Harry nodded. Ginny stood up.
"Okay everybody! Dinner now and then we can talk about the stories!" she yelled and everyone charged into the kitchen. Hermione stood and looked at Ron frowning.
"Ron? Where's Luna?" she asked. His face dropped.
"Uh…She couldn't come tonight. She's staying at her dad's," he told her.
"Why? He's okay isn't he?" she asked. Sighing he looked at her, his blue eyes full of Sadness.
"Yeah, he's fine. But our relationship's not," he said quietly, Hermione gasped.
"What's happened?"
"I don't know, we've been getting into more and more arguments lately and when I brought the kids back from mum's the other day she was gone. I've told Mike and Rosie that she's gone on Holiday but I don't know how long she'll be gone or what! I don't know what to do Herms. I mean she's pregnant with my child for God's sake!" he exclaimed. Hermione gasped and put her hand on Ron's shoulder.
"What were the arguments about Ron?" she asked.
"I don't know. She said I'd been spending too much time from the family and going to the pub and drinking. I love my family Herms and I'd do anything for them. If I'd have known I'd been spending too much time away I would have been home in a heartbeat!" he told her, she nodded.
"Well maybe you need to tell her that," he scoffed.
"But as my wife she should know that already! I've told her so many times I loved her and I'd do anything for her! She means the world to me! Why can't she see it!" he exclaimed, sitting down again and putting his head in his hands.
Sitting down beside him she put an arm around her shoulder.
"Ron you have to understand. Luna's almost 7 months pregnant, running into her third trimester. She'll be hormonal and her feelings will be all over the place. Why don't you go see her some time and talk to her about it all." She explained. He sighed and nodded, allowing himself to be pulled into a warm hug by his best friend.
"Thanks Herm. You always make me feel better, and unfortunately you're always bloody right," he said, a small smile on his face. Chuckling she pulled away and stood.
"That is what we perfectionists do Ronald. We're always right in every way!"
After dinner, everyone was fit to bursting, so they crashed in the living room tired and chatting. Harry and Ron told the kids about all the adventures that they had had in their Hogwarts days and how Hermione was always there to make sure they never got caught. James has run over to her at one point when Harry had mentioned that she was right about their 5th year when Sirius had died and kissed her on the cheek saying "Smarty Auntie Mia," he stayed on her lap all the rest of the night, finally falling contently asleep.
Once she And Ginny had put him to bed and Ron, Mike and Rosie had left to their home, Hermione finally slipped her boots back on and her jacket and scarf.
"I better get going guys. It's late and I'll need to get up early," she said. Ginny nodded and pulled her into a hug.
"If you need to talk Herms you know where I am," she told her. Hermione nodded and turned to Harry.
"Make sure you look after her Harry Potter or it'll be me you'll have to deal with!" she told him, earning a chuckle and a warm hug.
"Don't worry Herms. I always will look after her." He said.
Walking out the door she turned and smiled as the couple stood side by side with Harry's arm around Ginny's shoulder.
Suddenly a feeling of jealousy over come her and she shook her head confusedly. Ginny frowned.
"What's up Hermione?" she asked. Hermione smiled and shook her head again.
"Nothing, it's just the night air that's all. Night guys I'll see you next time," she said, giving a small wave and heading up the garden path and finally aperating to Hogwarts.
As she walked up the pathway towards the castle Hermione pondered over the feeling she had felt when she had seen Harry and Ginny.
Was it maybe because she had never had the chance to have the feeling of being close to the person you really loved? Of was it having the chance to be apart of the married life that she secretly yearned for deep inside.
But it couldn't be that. She did have the chance once when Ron had asked her. But then again she didn't love him like he loved Luna or Harry loved Ginny.
Finding herself at the doors of the school she entered the silent castle and quietly made her way up to the 4th floor where she decided she needed a hot bath and her bed. She was just being stupid, she gathered. She had chosen to not have the married life when she became a Healer. She had decided that she would have no time to care or babies and husbands. Sure, quick flings were okay and a good romp in the sack was great but never would she need to get married.
Entering the dark Hospital wind she waved her wand lighting the lamps and gasped at what she saw in the candle light.
Severus was sat on one of the beds obviously waiting for her to come back.
"Severus?" She whispered, he looked up with a small dazed look on his face. She frowned, "What are you doing here?" she asked.
He stood and walked over to her.
"Hermione…I needed to see you," he said quietly. She looked at him confused.
"What about? Are you okay?" she asked. He nodded.
"I'm fine…well I'm not actually. You see I'm troubled with thoughts that I can't seem to get out of my head." He explained. She nodded.
"Is it about today?" she asked. He nodded a little.
"Sort of…not what today signifies…but of what happened," he told her. She shook her head.
"Severus, you aren't making any sense…What's happened?" she asked.
Moving closer to her he ran his hands shakily through her curls and rested them on her cheeks looking deep into her brown eyes.
"I wouldn't be able to tell you…yet I can show you," he whispered.
Shocked at what was happening Hermione could only utter one word.
"What?" Moving closer so they were almost touching, Severus leaned forward.
"This." And he pressed his lips against hers in a searing kiss.
