The New Old Hermione
a post-war fanfic by Cerys Dewar
Chapter Eight
On Wednesday evening, Hermione stood in front of her mirror, smoothing out her dress and surveying her reflection doubtfully. She had chosen a dark blue dress that brought out the gold in her eyes and the glow in her pale skin, and had also charmed her hair into waves rather than their usual fuzz. She eyed her figure critically; she was wonderfully fit but couldn't help but wish that she had a few more "womanly curves" to fill out her dress. She sighed, and then cast a glamour over herself, changing her facial features - a straighter, sharper looking nose and larger eyes of blue rather than gold, as well as fuller lips - then she changed her hair to an inky shade of black. She had originally planned to make it blond, but something had changed last minute and she'd decided on the black.
As she crept quietly out of her shared quarters with Severus, she didn't notice him standing quietly in the shadows of the dungeons, and strode away, thinking that he wouldn't notice her absense. Severus watched her leave, thinking her glamour slightly overdone in the way of beauty. He had always admired how she didn't stoop to the girly vices he'd seen so many students indulge in. She met up with Draco at the main doors, and she surveyed her critically.
"Nobody would ever guess it to be you, but it will be strange for me to remember who I'm with. What am I supposed to call you, anyways?"
"Call me Ariane, and I have a solution for your confusion."
Hermione raised her wand and waved it over herself a few times, revealing her true appearance to Draco, who looked her up and down appreciatively, making her flush a little. He laughed at her bashfulness and slung his arm over her shoulders, and they strode out of the castle together, not noticing the silent shadow that followed at a distance.
Severus found himself slightly more irritated on the journey to the village, as Draco paid Hermione a few outrageous compliments that he thought were slightly overdone. But, what could one expect from Lucius and Narcissa's son, he thought to himself. He had often felt embarrassed being around them because they could be so lovey-dovey with one another, and it always made him feel disgusted but slightly envious. For years, he had often thought what he wouldn't give to have that kind of connection with anyone...
He had gotten over Lily, and now only thought of her fondly, as his first love, with a great deal of wistfulness but no more pain now. He knew that Lily wouldn't want him to wallow forever, and that he wouldn't want to regret the sacrifice she'd made to save their world. He had helped Harry in the ways that he could allow, and when Voldemort had finally been defeated for good, he had felt free, and had released Lily in his mind.
His mind returned to the present as he watched Draco and Hermione enter the newly renovated Three Broomsticks together and allow Madam Rosmerta to lead them to a secluded booth. Severus cast his own glamour, that of an old man's, and then settled himself down at the bar where he could watch them without being noticed by anyone.
The dinner progressed happily, with them holding hands across the table and talking and laughing. Severus couldn't help but feel glad to see Hermione smiling brightly and enjoying herself. It had been too long that he had seen the tired, aged, look in her eyes, and even with his irritation at the risk they were taking by going out in public, he felt relieved to see that she was still capable of smiling.
They finally left the pub two hours later, still holding hands and talking quietly. They had had a few glasses of wine with dinner, and as a result the two normally uptight characters were relaxed and enjoying eachother's company fully. They laughed loudly and often, and leaned against one another a little. Severus felt a momentary concern that perhaps Hermione would begin to depend on alcohol to numb the pain and help her relax, and resolved to keep an eye on that as well.
As they approached the main doors of Hogwarts again, Hermione dropped the glamour, and Draco whirled her around to face him, and holding hands, they kissed, first slowly, and then more deeply. Severus looked away, feeling slightly nauseous at what he felt was an unseemly public display, until his thoughts were interrupted by a loud shout.
"Oi! What the HELL is going on here?"
Ron and Harry, it would seem, were on the Auror team assigned to Hogwarts this weekend, and they had seen everything. Ron's face was purple and contorted with disgust. As Severus expected, the idiotic verbal garbage was not limited to that greeting.
"Gee, Hermione, it sure didn't take you very long to get over me, considering that you've been begging me to talk to you again. And Malfoy of all people too! I don't think you could possibly sink any lower, Hermione. What are you thinking?"
Hermione paled completely, and looked at both their faces, Harry's wary but obviously torn and hesitant as well as afraid, and Ron's contemptous, repulsed, and also afraid. Severus realized that the two fools were actually afraid of the friend who'd stayed by their sides despite their constant neglect of her, and he lost all respect for both of them. He despised cowards in any shape or form, and couldn't help but think to himself that Harry was once again showing himself to be a true Potter in this situation.
He was about to step out and deal with it when Draco stepped in front of Hermione and scowled at the two Aurors defiantly.
"First of all, Weaselby, there really isn't much to get over, is there? You've abandoned her, and I just happen to be trying to show her a good time and how a woman should actually be treated, not that you would know anything of that.
And you, Potter, I wanted to respect you, but I have a hard time doing so when you've completely turned your back on one of your oldest friends when she really needs you. I've BEEN here for her, Potter; I don't have the same history with her but at least I'm trying."
Before anyone could say or do anything to diffuse the situation or intervene, Ron got it into his stupid head to throw his old slug hex at Draco, who smoothly disarmed him.
"I'd be a little more careful if I were you, Weaselby. I'm a former Death Eater, remember? My reflexes are far beyond your childish little hexes, and I just might forget that I've vowed not to use an Unforgivable and just Crucio you by accident. I'd truly hate to see that happen."
And with that, he turned his back on them, tossing Ron's wand back at him over his shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around Hermione once again and led her back into the castle, murmering words of comfort to her. Severus took advantage of the two fools' momentary silence and startled them by sweeping out of the shadows with his most terrifying scowl on his face. Harry only remained looking torn and unhappy, which was most dissapointing, but Wealey had the decency to pass out.
