AN: 1. It was pointed out that I called you wonderful readers my lovelies last chapter… and that it's kind of creepy. I call my students my lovelies ALL the time. Do they think I am creepy? They might. Maybe I should stop :) I don't want to be a weirdo, haha 2. Y'all, this chapter did NOT want to be written. I felt like I was jumping hurdles, and I don't even really know why because it turned out to be the LONGEST chapter I have written so far! 3. I, so, appreciate the love and responses from each of you. Keep those fantastic REVIEWS coming :)

Thank you to RhodaBush, Calindy, FrancineHibiscus, LFA, smithback, marzipan4, IrisDawnDancer, Padme.G, lia. , SlaveToSeverus, WizardSmurf, SereniteRose, rlsa, Nachtwens, Zedoc, DutchGirl01, and villafoo! (And some pretty sweet Guest reviewers.)

The Professor's Widow

Chapter Eight

How Old?

Snape looked towards the fireplace that Minerva had flooed away into. "She's aged so much."

Hermione nodded, "It's been a long series of years for her."

Severus turned towards her, "But she just looked old, so frail and … I never expected her to become so old. When did that happen?"

She tried to stop herself, but the words tumbled out, "While you were dead. Everyone's gotten old, well older." She shrugged.

As if the thought hadn't really processed for him before this exact moment, his eyes narrowed, and he asked, "How old are you, now?"

Hermione sort of faux-smiled, "You know it's impolite to ask a woman's age."

His face scowled, turning itself into an expression she had seen leveled at Neville Longbottom many times in her youth.

"Fine, fine. I'm thirty; I will be thirty-one come September." She let him take a beat before she asked, "You were thirty-eight when you died, so what how old are you now, thirty-seven, no, thirty-six?"

Severus Snape agreed, "yes, I am thirty-six. Well I was at least."

"You know… It's strange to think that as you sit here alive, now, you are only five years older than your godson. I wonder what Draco would think? Would you ever be able to see him as your peer? Or is it too odd to suddenly be, practically, the same age as the kid you saw in his nappies?"

His melancholy fell suddenly away as this new thought settled upon him. "Ha! It's Draco that is now my peer. How fantastic would it be to see the look on Lucius's vain visage when he realized that he's gotten old, and I have only gotten younger than he last saw me?" Severus seemed to be enjoying the moment of being petty. "Draco and I out for drinks on the prowl - while the old man stays at home." He was grinning like a maniac.

It was odd to see Severus on such a train of thought, and he must have realized it, too. Immediately, he shifted his eyes to the floor and readjusted his demeanour.

She smiled, "Don't stop laughing on my part. Seeing Lucius Malfoy be made to feel foolish has always been one of my favorite past times."

Her words seemed to help, but years of trained control were hard to break through, even out of your own time and in a world without the war that had forced such control.

Hermione added, "He's a governor at the school, now, you know - uh, Draco, not Lucius. He, Draco, will be there for this blasted meeting this afternoon." She paused uncertain if she wanted to really ask. Minerva was one thing, but once Draco knew, it wouldn't really be such a secret anymore. "You could come to the castle with me if you'd like. I can bring him to my chambers to see you after."

The time of facing this new life, whatever it meant, no matter how short the prospect, was upon him - ready or not. He contemplated it for a bit. "I think I should like to see him. I'm not ready for the world to know, yet though. Is the adult Draco trustworthy to hold this situation in confidence a while longer?"

Hermione nodded, "yes, I believe so."

"Good. Because I can't have the press in our business without a plan, and I need to finish reading that damned book you've written," he pointed to the biography manuscript. "If I am going to be alive while you publish all my secrets, I need to be sure that I don't come across ridiculous." He paused again, then goaded, "Or even worse, I need to be certain that you haven't written some awful Gryffindor version of me gallantly and stupidly brave."

oooo

Hermione fluttered around the house putting things into her bag, and Snape watched as she "put the house to rest" with obvious practice. Her wand moved without her conscious thought, and rooms were spelled clean, counters wiped down, clutter returned to its rightful place, and many more little spells that he could barely keep up with his observation.

She'd come to notice him perched watching, leaning against the wall near the fireplace. As if she'd become suddenly aware of her spell work, she lowered her wand a bit self-consciously.

He twirled his hand to signal continue. They were settling into a greater ability to communicate non-verbally.

She finished her spells and summoned her cloak from the rack. "Whenever I head to Hogwarts, I never seem to know when for sure I will be able to return here."

He agreed quickly, "oh yes, I know just what you mean. Albus can always make a quick meeting somehow become a week long mission."

Snape froze. Being uncomfortable was not something he was familiar with, but now, his whole world seemed to be full of faux-pas and misspoken words. "I mean he used to."

Hermione reached towards his wrist, but then thought better of it mid-movement and her arm just hung awkwardly in the air. "You don't upset me, Severus. I still can't get over feeling like this isn't real, so I think it's okay if you don't remember all the things that haven't happened in your future past - or whatever the hell. I mean, I don't even really fully believe that you are here, flesh and bone."

She put the awkward hand on the wall in the space between them. "I keep expecting to wake up with Pomphrey staring at me from some failed experiment or that you're really just a ghost and my hand would pass right through you."

Snape put his own hand up and covered hers on the wall. He pulled it into his own and guided her hand to lie on his wrist. "Not a ghost."

Hermione squeezed lightly, feeling the edge of his wrist bone. She audibly sucked in air. The stood that way in the perplexity of the moment, but it couldn't have been more than a few seconds before Snape pulled away.

All his thoughts and feelings veiled tightly behind the mask of indifference that he'd spent a lifetime crafting. No hint of emotion escaped, as he gestured towards the floo. "Shall we?"

oooo

Much like with Spinner's End, Severus's quarters, classroom, and lab space had all become Hermione's. In retrospect, Hermione had come to realize that Ron's insecurities may not have been completely baseless.

Hermione did behave like a widow of a man that she had never loved and only really learned to actually like as a person well after his death. It was as she had worked to preserve his memory, that she'd become increasingly aware of all things Snape. In many ways, she had become a living monument to him, but who wouldn't to some degree under such a circumstance.

It was, now, over half a decade later, she could reflect with maturity that perhaps Ron wasn't totally off his rocker, as she had screamed at him. Hermione being in all Severus's spaces and knowing all his secrets and in essence, living his life seemed infinitely more intimate with an alive version of him around to witness it.

Severus studied the differences in his living quarters. Hermione indicated to the space, "I didn't do as much here as I did at Spinner's End. The castle is pretty finicky about things."

Snape smirked and pressed his hand against the stone walls. It was clear that something magical was happening as the atmosphere of the sitting room changed. "The castle's magic is like a river. You have to be willing to flow with it rather than shoving your own will against it."

Hermione watched in wonder as an ancient dungeon light fixture transformed into a stunning and more beautiful replica of what hung over the dining table at Spinner's End. A small, "awe," escaped her lips.

"Perhaps, I still do have a few secrets left." He tapped his temple with his finger.

Hermione opened her mouth to speak, and he lifted his hand in a stop motion.

"Yes, Granger, I will teach you."

"How did you know what I was going to say?" she huffed indignantly.

"You're Hermione Granger," was all he replied, as if that alone was a sufficient answer.

She shook her head, "Yes, well. Knowledge is power." With that she reached into her bag, "here, I brought you this to read while I am in the meeting." She handed him the latest manuscript complete with notes from her recent meeting. "Before I go," she looked at him. "Do you want me to tell Draco anything that might expedite the whole how are you here? You're not real! Part of the reveal?"

Snape paused and thought for a moment. His nose twitched ever so slightly as he contemplated and clearly passed on certain ideas. "Tell him that I have forgiven him for what he said during his fourth year during the tournament. If he presses you, it was the day of the Black Lake task."

Everyday, it seemed to Hermione that there was more and more that she didn't know about the life and times of Severus Snape. She nodded her head, "okay, I will return after a while." She waved a strange goodbye and disappeared out the doorway.

oooo

Hermione had sat silently in the midst of the very heated meeting for nearly an hour before she could no longer take it. "Enough!" She bellowed.

Even Headmistress McGonagall looked taken aback by the decree.

Hermione Granger was on her feet, black teaching cloak flowing out behind her. She stood tall and narrowed her eyes. "This is absurd. I will address the clear elephant in the room. While yes, some former Death Eaters are allowed to attend the Victory Day celebration, no not all should be. Draco Malfoy damn well knows that the lot of you have been tiptoeing around his name for the better part of this last hour, and while you continue to sling mud at his name, he has done and said nothing to stand up for himself." She paused surveying the room.

"So, I will stand up for him - Draco Malfoy has done his time and paid his retributions. His parents have done the same. He is a contributing member to society. He runs a bloody charity for Merlin's sake! And you, can act like he is a menace and try to use the Victory Day as an excuse to boot him from this board, but that would make you as hateful and divisive as the man that we achieved this victory against. I call for a vote to continue to allow members of the community that deserve to attend to be invited to the Victory Day celebration and that we end this meeting right now!"

Silence echoed around the chamber.

Then, Draco realized Hermione was staring holes into his face, "oh, I second that motion."

McGonagall was barely audible, "All those in favor of continuing admission to the Victory Day as it always has been say 'aye'."

A cacophony of "ayes" rang out under the menacing stare of the Deputy Headmistress.

"All those against continuing admission to the Victory Day as it always has been say nay."

A lone squeaky "nay" fell into space.

"Well that clears up that matter then. We will have our next regularly scheduled meeting about school business in October. Meeting adjourned." Minerva rose from her seat.

Governors began to exit quickly to avoid having to speak to Hermione, and Minerva ushered them into the hallway.

Draco walked the distance between them and finally, stood next to Granger. "You could've done that thirty minutes ago, you know?" His trademark smirk fully replacing the humble face that had been in place throughout the meeting.

Hermione let out a noise that sounded a bit like a wounded animal. "Bollocks! That was such shite."

Malfoy chuckled, "remind me never to piss you off."

"I already have remember?" Hermione mimed punching him in the face.

He made a childish face.

Minerva returned in the room, and it was now just the three of them.

"Was that really necessary Miss Granger?"

Malfoy's eyebrows did a thing, and he said, "ooohh, she called you Miss Granger. You're in trouble."

"You hush." She turned towards McGonagall. "Yes, Minerva, it was necessary. You heard what they were saying, and you know why. I don't know how you can even entertain them."

McGonagall sighed, "You know that not everyone is a believer in Draco's altruistic qualities. There are a couple of choice aurors that make it known rather loudly."

Her hands settled on her hips, "Just because Ronald Weasley still hates Draco because of their adolescent ridiculousness, does not mean that Draco doesn't have the right to attend the Victory Day celebrations."

Malfoy muttered something unintelligible.

"What was that?"

His eyes remained on the floor, "it's because he thinks we are," his hands wafting between them, "you know."

As realization dawned on McGonagall, her laughter began to bloom.

But Hermione didn't catch on, "Do what? What does Ron think we are?"

Malfoy's eyes opened a bit wider trying to indicate wordlessly his meaning.

McGonagall jumped in laughing, "Hermione, Ron thinks you and Mr. Malfoy are sleeping together."

Her mouth hung open aghast. "What? Why? Are you sure?"

Malfoy just nodded and shrugged.

Hermione shook her head and began to pace. "What kind of ridiculous…" her words trailed off into muttering.

He explained. "There was apparently a picture from Victory Day in Witches Weekly."

"Of what?" Hermione asked.

"Do you remember when Slughorn knocked into my back, and I spilled firewhiskey all down your gown?"

She nodded, understanding blooming in her eyes.

"There's a picture right after when I am giving you the handkerchief, but the angle, well, it doesn't look exactly innocent."

"Heavens! This is why the hullabaloo about not having Death Eaters at Victory Day." Hermione was incredulous. "Why does he still even care? He has a wife and all the happy little strawberry blonde brats he could possibly want." She was so frustrated she wanted to cry.

Malfoy supplied some support, "it will all blow over. It always does. Don't stress about it, but uh, thanks for sticking up for me."

Hermione groaned, "Now, it's really going to look like I'm sleeping with you!"

Minerva laughed some more, but then, segwayed the conversation, "Hermione, are you sticking around the castle or headed home?"

Draco stood up like he was stretching to leave.

"Uh, well, I have something that I need to share with Malfoy here, and it's, uh, in the castle." Hermione raised her eyebrows to Minerva.

"Oh good! I am so glad that you are going to include Mr. Malfoy."

Draco had paused confused.

McGonagall added, "Before you go back to Spinner's End, I would like to see -," she paused leaving a blank, "again. I have a few things he would probably want. I'll be in my chambers, so just let me know."

Hermione nodded, "will do."

"I'll leave you to it, then." McGonagall looked at Draco, "Draco, what Hermione has to show you is unbelievable, but believe them. Don't let you cynicism get in the way. It's real, and it's true." With that McGonagall left the room, leaving Hermione alone with Malfoy.

"What's going on? You're being weirder than usual which is saying something."

"You'll probably want to sit down for this."

He wafted his hand in a scoffing manner, "Just tell me what in the bloody hell you're on about."

"Okay, Draco, Severus Snape is alive."

With those words, Malfoy's knees gave way, and he fell in an ungraceful, completely non-Malofy-esque way into a seated position on the chair behind him.

AN: Leave some love! I cannot wait for Draco to see Hermione and Snape together. Someone who knows them both and is their peer.