~ Chapter 9 ~

They arrived outside of the house in a rush of dark robes. Hermione pushed her hood away from her morning curls and stared at the dark house. Before them was a large, two-story house on the cliff edge of Northern England. The waves crashed against the rocks below and seagulls circled around the brown, weather-worn roof.

Hermione's grip tightened on the strap of her bag and she glanced at Professor Snape. They were in the middle of nowhere, together; it scared her more than she cared to admit. She noticed that his bag was much smaller than hers, but she didn't expect anything less of him.

Will I see him in normal clothes?

The gap in her bag widened as a black head slipped out with ears twitching. Penny wiggled free from her comfy cage and landed on the damp grass.

"I don't think anyone will find us here," she said.

"It's a hole," Snape muttered.

"We can make it feel more like home if we have to stay here for a long time," Hermione walked up to the broken steps and onto the wrap-around porch. He appeared behind her then tapped his wand against the handle of the door.

The wards dispersed and they headed inside. "Yes, this is definitely a fixer-upper," she raced into the centre of the sitting room with a smile on her face.

There was something about this place that lifted her spirits. Perhaps it's because I know I'm safe and alone here. No one can make me feel uncomfortable or anxious.

Professor Snape disappeared up the stairs and she stepped into the kitchen that much resembled the Weasleys one back at The Burrow. She placed her bag on the long, brittle table and glanced around the messy kitchen.

I should clean up.

Penny jumped onto the table and settled down to watch her. Hermione was busy sorting out the piles of pots and pans when Snape returned.

"What are you doing?"

She glanced over her shoulder. "Cleaning, sir."

"You don't need to do that."

"I don't mind; it should be a livable place if we're to stay here," she opened up the cupboard beneath her and put away two pots.

"Miss Granger, I don't expect you to clean the house-"

"It's really no problem — it keeps me distracted," he sighed in response and a sense of dread flooded her body. "I'm sorry."

"What have I said?"

"To stop apologising."

He pulled back one of the chairs and sat down. "There looks to be an overgrown garden out on the cliff edge. You can keep yourself busy with that instead of cleaning."

Why doesn't he want me to clean? Hermione nodded her head and stepped away from the counter. "Is there any more news about him?"

"I'm afraid not," he said as Penny nuzzled her face against his hand. "I don't think you should worry too much about it."

A rush of anger crashed over her but she took a deep breath to warn it off. "I have a right to know, sir."

He gave her an odd look. "I know."

"One of the reasons I came to you was because I knew you wouldn't shelter me from the truth," she explained.

He didn't seem impressed with her response. I can't say anything right around him! She grabbed her bag with a sigh.

"Have you picked a room?" he nodded so she headed upstairs to take the spare room.

It's bland, just like the rest of the house. Hermione had no idea what to do next, was she to carry on like she would at home — if I had a home…

She fell backwards onto the bed with a yawn. Her spirits were going to be low for a while since Crookshanks has to stay at Hogwarts. McGonagall wants to keep him around so people will assume that I am. She didn't see the point in it, but at least Penny could keep her company.

I feel odd though, petting an animal that can talk seems like the equivalent to petting a human.

Four paws landed on her chest and she hardly jumped in surprise. Penny rested her head on her front paws and batted her dark eyes at her.

"Something's bothering you," she whispered.

"Can I stroke you?"

"Nothing stopped you before," Hermione began to move her hand down Penny's black fur. "Tell me what's troubling you?"

"I...this is weird," she said. "I don't know how to act around him, and I don't see how it will help me get better."

"You're around one another without school obligations; he'll be able to relax, as well as you. It takes time to adjust to new surroundings, just give it time, my dear."

"However, Professor Snape has to be ready in case someone comes after us."

"You fought in a war, he won't be defending alone." Hermione smiled a little at the feline's valid point. "I do believe that your counselling sessions will continue, so I'm sure you'll make better progress here than at Hogwarts."

"Perhaps you're right."

"I always am."

The next day came slowly.

She'd made them both dinner but he didn't attend. She left his meal covered on the counter and awoke to find it untouched. Did he eat something else? Hermione glanced around the empty kitchen. Should I waste time making him breakfast?

There was no movement upstairs so she assumed he was still asleep. I always thought he was an early riser, perhaps I'm wrong—

Penny raced around the side of the house and Hermione stepped over to the window. The sound of waves crashing against the cliff side filled her ears, and she headed out of the side door and walked around to the back.

Professor Snape was on his knees pulling out the overgrown plants from a flowerbed. He'd rid his teaching robes and wore a plain, white shirt and black trousers. Hermione leant against the wooden post and smiled to herself.

Her hair fluttered in the morning breeze as she slid down and sat on the steps with her knees up to her chest. She couldn't help but notice how peaceful he looked gardening. It's like our situation isn't as cut throat as it truly is.

Penny moved from his side and joined her on the steps. "How do you fair this morning?"

"I didn't have a nightmare," she said, and Snape finally noticed her presence. He got to his feet and walked over.

"Good morning."

"Morning, sir."

"Have you had breakfast yet?" he didn't make eye contact with her.

"No," she tried to move so his eyes would catch hers.

"Let's go and have some, then you can tell me how you're feeling this morning," he headed through the back door and she stared after him for a few moments, then got to her feet and followed him into the kitchen.

Ten minutes later, Hermione was tucking into a bowl of cereal and some jam on toast. She noticed that he'd hardly touched his food and she fought back the urge to ask him about it. Whenever I ask him something close to being personal, he shuts off.

"Did you have a nightmare?" he asked.

"Thankfully not," she said. "I didn't dream about anything."

"I would like you to keep a dream journal so I can see the main cause behind them — also note down your thoughts and feelings during the day before you go to sleep," he stirred the spoon in his tea and she nodded her head.

"I can do that," she tapped her fingers on the table. "Aren't you hungry?"

"Not really," he muttered under his breath. "That doesn't matter. How is your mind during the day?"

Hermione's eyes lingered on him for a few moments, then she looked down at her plate. "He doesn't cross my mind often, but I'm still anxious about everything."

"Anything specific?"

"The idea of talking to someone I don't know terrifies me, as well as going outside where there are more people."

"I'd say you're suffering from what Muggles call, Social Anxiety," he explained. "It's a perfectly normal reaction to any form of trauma."

Hermione already knew that, but she was more occupied with wondering why Snape was being weird towards her. Is he still mad that I want to be friends with him? No, he wouldn't be annoyed by something so ridiculous.

"Are we still able to go for our morning walks; there's plenty of countryside to explore since we're in the middle of nowhere," she tried to catch his eyes again, but once more, he avoided her.

"I don't think that's wise for the time being," he sipped his tea. "You can set your mind to redecorating if you must."

"If I must?"

He furrowed his brow. "I'm sorry if I misunderstood, but I assumed that's what you meant yesterday."

"And what will you be doing?"

"I might tend to the garden, as you can tell it's rather overgrown." Hadn't he told her to focus on that yesterday?

"I noticed," she muttered, then pushed some of her hair away from her face. "I...I want to do something with you, sir. Our morning walks are one of the many things I enjoy doing in your company."

He got to his feet with a sigh. "I'm afraid that isn't allowed."

"Fine," she crossed her arms over her chest and gnawed on her bottom lip. Perhaps this is just the way he acts outside of school? I'm sure he likes having his space; I should allow him that pleasure.

Penny jumped up onto the table as Snape left the kitchen. "He's confused."

"About what?" Hermione whispered back so he couldn't hear.

"His reaction to you meaning more to him than a student."

"Oh." Heat flooded her cheeks and she leant closer to the black cat. "Really?"

"Of course, my dear, why do you think you can hear me?"

"I just...I thought I was special."

"You're special, to him."

Hermione blinked in response.

"My master is capable of human emotions, which means he has the ability to care about someone. His feelings are complicated when it comes to you, and it's why he's keeping his distance from you."

"I want to be his friend."

"Then keep treating him the way you do; it's bound to happen one way or another, and he knows it but doesn't want to admit it," Penny nudged her head against Hermione's hand. "Being here will help clear both of your minds. However, it takes time to work past these things."

Hermione nodded her head with a smile. He cares about me...I care about him too. The only thing I can do right now is continue to talk to him and let him know that I'm here for him to talk to as well.

"I'm glad you found him," she said. "You've helped me a lot."

"You're a good person, Hermione, and I'm glad my master can count on you as a friend."

"Me too."


AN:/ Hello! I hope you enjoyed this filler chapter, it was supposed to be longer but I changed my mind about a few things so I had to switch parts around! Thank you to everyone who followed, favourited and reviewed! Please leave me your thoughts about this chapter, and make sure to check out my new HG/SS fic called Of All The Ways!