-=I do not ever claim to own any part of the Harry Potter-verse.=-
Plants and Potions
Tea Leaves and Torment
*
Snape always disguised himself as Zettie at his marketplace booth, he had the market cornered on remedies. Snape closed up shop early, business was light. The heavy downpours kept all but the most persevering in doors. Zettie quickly packed up the shop and displayed the 'closed' shingle. Rain poncho on, Zettie pulled the little wagon far enough away that apparition was possible.
Soul-weary Snape resumed his usual visage and made tea. Lighting a fire he sat focusing on his tea and allowing the heat from the fire to permeate his chilled flesh.
Severus took the dregs in the cup swirled them gently and tuned them out onto the saucer. Snape scrutinized the soggy lumps while rotating the saucer. Turning the saucer several more times, knowing what he saw wasn't changing. A large rock possibly a mountain, and two winged-creatures facing the mountain-shaped rock. He didn't need to have the 'sight' to know that it wasn't hopeful. Why'd he have to go and open his big mouth. It was bound to fall apart sooner or later.
Setting the saucer aside, Severus selected a book in which to immerse himself. After staring at the same page without being able to single out the text, Snape set the book aside. Needing some kind of distraction, he sat on the back porch listening to the cadence of rain on leaves. For the first time in forever Severus longed for the company of another. He'd never intended for any of this to happen. Well, he supposed the road to hell is truly paved with good intentions.
Hermione cleaned and laid out the first round of plant specimens to be tested while Maisey saw to the customers. Taking up the first bunch she carefully rolled the leaves up and arranged them on the cutting board. Solid silver santoku in hand, she set to chiffonade the lot. Hermione got through the first bunch admirably but cut her finger deeply as she reached for the second. Applying direct pressure, her finger bled inordinately. Not used to the sight of blood she wanted the staunch the bleeding before she healed the wound, wouldn't do to make a mistake. Her t-shirt was covered in blood she clutched it to the wound, as well as the cutting board and the knife. Uneasily it reminded her of seeing Snape in the Shrieking Shack. All the blood. Ever since she joined the wizarding world she'd rarely seen blood shed of any sort, it gave her a strange sort of feeling. Looking at the laceration, she turned her finger this way and that visualizing the knife cutting through her flesh. Grabbing her wand quickly she wanted to mend it, her right hand holding the wand shook badly.
Blood welled at the 'smile-shaped' cut. Hermione lost her nerve. Using a falsely cheerful tone, she called up to the front to let Maisey know she'd be back in a bit. Reapplying pressure she disapparated.
The rain poured down soaking her cream tee and caused the blood to spread like a disease across it. Hermione stumbled and splashed across the sodden grass and moss into the stand of trees and gorse. She knocked on the door, but there was no answer. Pulling out her wand she sent a Patronus messenger in. Her Patronus looked different but she didn't have time to examine it. The door was flung open, Snape saw the blood and whipped her up into his arms carrying her and kicking the door shut. Intellectually Hermione knew the wound wasn't very serious and was more than a little embarrassed that she hadn't dealt with it herself. Ashamed of herself for wanting him to fawn over her.
Severus on the other hand behaved as though it had been very serious, focusing intently on the task of cleaning her up and mending the cut. Once the skin was knitted back together he took her finger kissing it delicately. Hermione couldn't help but be drawn into his tenderness. "Sorry about that, I feel like a fool for not fixing it myself."
Severus frowned at her, "don't be ridiculous. Your wand hand shook, you might have missed." Severus knew that was nonsense, but mending Hermione had been visceral and satisfying. "There may be residual pain, do you need anything for it?"
There was some pain but thankfully the knife was razor-sharp. For an instant she was tempted to accept his offer not because the pain was terrible but because his concern for her was beautiful. "No," she smiled sadly. Severus was tentative in his manner; he didn't really know what to say and he wanted nothing more than to take her into his arms. "Thank you, I'm sorry...for disturbing you Severus. I appreciate it though." Just about to slide off the counter-top, she paused only briefly.
Was she just going to leave now? Now that wouldn't do. He had to do something, but what? "Hermione." Severus floundered for the briefest of moments. "Hermione, I have something to say." Snape stepped closer blocking her from leaving. Holding both of his index fingers up in command. "Listen, about last night."
She forestalled him. "Severus..."
Severus on the other hand was determined. "No, Hermione. Stop, just listen. If only one of us makes decisions regarding what has or will take place there will be no winners. None. I propose we make some compromises. If we can't come to some sort of compromise then I'll have to take certain steps."
"Certain steps, aye?" Hermione didn't like the ominous pronouncement.
"Oh yes. If I see the need, I can be quite ruthless. Are you willing to compromise with me Ms. Granger?" Snape insinuated himself between her knees, wrapping his arms around her waist.
Hermione baulked. "I really don't see how I could be any use to you. I don't really have what it takes..."
Severus' eyebrows knit and he laughed harshly. "I never thought I'd see the day..." Snape shook his head in dismay. "And a Gryffindor too, afraid of her own skin." She was ready to object but Snape stopped her. "You may be brilliant and all, but you are scared to death. Look at you, Hermione Granger; who fought Deatheaters, was tortured and abused, imprisoned and escaped. Broke in to Gringotts and escaped, destroyed Horcruxes and every other wicked thing, only to tell me you're afraid to love." Snape laughed nastily. "In case you haven't realized I've figured out who you couldn't trust your heart with. Neville Longbottom. People may have changed following the war, though based on what you said about him wanting the whole package and DESERVING IT! If he does deserve it, and I see no reason not to believe you, then that just goes to illustrate what a coward you are. I could find it in my heart to believe you couldn't trust me with your love, but Neville Goody-goody Longbottom who has never hurt a soul in his life. Hermione it's time you stop kidding yourself. Lying to yourself is just..." She slapped him.
Tears running down her blood-red face, "pathetic, yeah I know. Thank you for that scathing assessment. I am a coward, are you happy?" She pushed him trying to lever herself off the counter, but he held firm. "Move damn you."
Snape did what every boxer does when the strikes get to be too much, he hugged her hard. "No," he whispered. "No I won't let you go. You have a unique opportunity Ms. Granger" She could still hear him though her muffled sobs. "I going to rescue you from yourself. You've held yourself captive for too long. I wager it'll take some getting used to, but you were never afraid of hard work my little know-it-all." He pulled back to look at her red tear-stained face. "You hurt my cheek you know," she looked intently at the reddened cheek. "We have work to do." He tapped her with his wand.
Hermione tried to move, but it must have been some kind of sticking charm he put on her. Snape smoothed her hair and wiped her tears off her swollen face. Hermione looked cornered and full of fear.
Planting little kisses across her jaw and lips, he smiled at her. "Are you ready Ms. Granger?" Smirking he held on to her and disapparated.
