A/N: I hope you all continue to enjoy the story. Many thanks to Krissy, SweetTale4U, and Muggle Jane for helping me out with this story. Don't know where it or I would be without you all.
Disclaimer: The characters and canon situations in the following story belong solely to JK Rowling, Scholastic and WB. I am not making any money from the publishing or writing of this story.
Chapter Nine
Two days had passed since the Halloween Ball. Hermione had ignored everyone who had come to visit her during that time. She needed time to think about this situation with Lucius. The time was fruitless, as she had come to no conclusion as what to do about the man in question. She was incredibly attracted to the man physically, and intellectually she felt he met her needs, but his past was something that Hermione had a difficult time ignoring. He did seem genuine in his remorse, but Hermione had a difficult time accepting it, regardless of her colleagues' and friends' assurances.
It was her turn to chaperone the Hogsmeade weekend, and Hermione found she could not ignore the outside world any more. Luckily for her, Snape was her partner for the outing instead of Lucius. She didn't think she could face him after the ball.
She dressed in simple Muggle clothes, foregoing her teaching robes, and put her hair up in a messy bun as she headed out into the chilly November weather. It began to snow lightly on her lonely trek to Hogsmeade. Most of the students were most likely already down in the village.
Walking directly to the Three Broomsticks, she found the dark brooding figure that was Severus Snape glaring silently at her.
"You're late, Granger."
"I know, I'm sorry."
"You shouldn't let your personal problems hinder you from your teaching duties."
Hermione cast her eyes downward, incredibly embarrassed that Snape was chastising her. Snape always knew how to make her feel like a first year student all over again.
But Snape was right. Hermione had been neglecting her duties due to the way she felt. She needed to be an adult about things, and she certainly wasn't being one.
"Lucius has been my friend for a very long time," Snape began, motioning for her to follow him. The two of them began to walk down the street, keeping an open eye for misbehaving students.
"I don't want to talk about Lucius," Hermione grumbled.
"You don't need to talk, you just need to listen. You are capable of just listening, aren't you Miss Granger?" Receiving no answer from the woman, Snape continued, "I know Lucius can be incredibly obstinate, but he means well. He is genuine in his affections towards you."
"You would know this how?" she inquired.
"Because I'm the one that has to listen to him moon over you," Snape said, shaking his head. "He's determined to win you over, despite me telling him not to bother."
Hermione felt slightly affronted by his words.
He scoffed at her reaction. "You're insulted? I don't know why. You claim to want nothing to do with Lucius, yet you are somehow insulted that I am discouraging him from seeking you out?"
She blushed. "Well, maybe I… Oh, I don't know!" she cried. "Besides, I fail to see how this is any of your business, Snape."
Turning angrily to face Hermione, Snape snapped "Lucius is my friend, and if you continue to string him along as you are, you will regret it."
She gaped at him. "Snape, there's no need to be so rude."
Realizing he was looming over his colleague, he stepped away from her. "My apologies, I did not mean to be inappropriate with you, Miss Granger."
Hermione scowled at him.
"I am exhausted by both Luna and Lucius's constant talking of the subject. I just wish you would make up your mind and save me the headache."
"As I said earlier, Snape, it's really not any of your concern." She glanced away. "I think it's best we finish our patrols separately."
"Fine by me," he said, stalking off down a side street.
Hermione watched him go. "Who does he think he is?" She sat down on a side bench, huffing angrily. Snape had no right to pressure her like that.
She spent the next two hours watching as students walked back and forth. Everyone seemed rather well-behaved today, which was somewhat surprising to her. Apparently they had gotten all the mischief out of their systems at the costume ball.
"Hello, Hermione," Luna said, sitting on the bench next to her. "Aren't you cold from the snow?"
"Oh, hello, Luna," Hermione said quietly. "Yes, I am a bit cold. I suppose I hadn't noticed." She wrapped her arms around herself and rubbed her arms in an attempt to keep warm.
Luna cast a warming charm on her. "There, that should help. Do you want to talk about what's bothering you?"
"Snape was rather rude earlier," Hermione admitted. "I suppose it just got me thinking."
Luna frowned. "I told him not to say anything to you. I should have known he wouldn't listen." She put her hand on Hermione's shoulder and rubbed it gently. "Don't let what he said bother you. Severus can be an arse, trust me, I know."
"But he was right," Hermione said with a frown. "I am jerking Lucius around."
"I wouldn't put it that way," Luna said, "I understand your hesitation with Lucius, Hermione. It's obvious you don't trust him, and that's not something that can just change overnight. You just need to decide whether you want to give him a chance or not."
Hermione sighed. "I just feel so lost, Luna. I don't know what to do," she said in a small voice. "I want to give Lucius a chance, but I'm afraid to. He just makes me so angry sometimes, and I just don't know what to do."
Luna smiled at her. "Just listen to your heart, Hermione. What does it say?"
Hermione remained silent.
"Hermione," Luna pressed. "What does it tell you to do?"
Sighing, Hermione glanced at her. "It tells me to give him a chance."
"Then do it," Luna stated happily. "Give him a chance, Hermione. I know he makes you angry, but just think about it, he also makes you feel something else, doesn't he? He makes you feel passionate. He puts you on guard, and you always want to defend yourself against him."
"He's always so rude," Hermione pressed. "How is that passion?"
"Because he makes you fight," Luna pointed out. "He knows how to make your blood boil. He ignites something deep inside you."
Hermione thought about her words. "I suppose you're right."
"Of course I'm right," Luna said, giving her a smile. "Give him a chance, a real one."
"Oh, all right, I will." Hermione smiled softly. "I know we'll probably still fight, but I suppose it's worth a shot."
"I think he'll really make you happy, Hermione." Luna stood. "Why don't we get some Butterbeer? That'll cheer you up."
Hermione stood as well. "Yes, Butterbeer does sound good."
"And don't worry about Severus. I'll be giving him a firm talking to later."
Hermione laughed. "Yes, well, have fun with that." She held the door open to The Three Broomsticks for Luna. The two of them walked in and took their usual seat in the corner. Luna disappeared to get them both drinks. When she returned, she had a small on her face.
"What's so funny?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, nothing," Luna said with a wave of her hand. "So tell me, have you heard from Ron and Harry lately?"
Hermione frowned, taking a sip of her Butterbeer. "No, I haven't. I've written to them both, but neither of them has responded. I imagine they've been busy with Auror training."
"Most likely," Luna agreed. "I'm sure we'll see them for Christmas."
"Yes, I plan on stopping by the Burrow on Christmas day, and I'm sure they'll be there." Hermione paused. "I can't believe how quickly the past few months have gone by. It's already November, but it feels like we've only just started term."
"I know," Luna said. "It seems like it's gone by far too quickly."
"But I do enjoy teaching," Hermione said with a smile. "It seems like I was meant for this."
"You were," Luna said knowingly. "You were always so academically inclined, Hermione, it was only natural that you became a professor."
The two of them continued their discussion well into their evening.
Eventually, Hermione stood. "It's about time for the students to head back. I need to check the streets to make sure everyone's leaving."
"All right," Luna stated. "I'll see you back at the castle for dinner."
"Bye, Luna," Hermione said. She stepped out of The Three Broomsticks, and headed down the street.
"Hermione!"
Turning, Hermione saw Lucius walking towards her. "Oh, hello, Lucius."
He gave her a small smile. "May I have a moment of your time?"
She nodded, remembering her discussion with Luna. "Yes, what is it?"
Lucius looked pleased at her words. "I was wondering, would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night?"
Her eyes widened. "You want to have dinner with me?"
"Yes, I do, Hermione. So will you, please?"
Her heart stopped, and she knew that this was the moment. She had to make her choice right now. And she did. "Yes, Lucius, I will."
Lucius smirked. "Wonderful. Stop by my quarters tomorrow evening around six. I'll have the house-elves serve us there."
"Is that all right with Minerva? I'm not supposed to miss any meals." Hermione blushed.
"I'll speak with her," Lucius promised. "So is it a yes?"
Hermione nodded. "It's a yes."
"Wonderful." He took her hand and placed a kiss to the back of it. "Until tomorrow."
She watched as he left. Her heart fluttered nervously as she thought about tomorrow night. Hermione only hoped that she didn't make a mistake.
