Author's note: I own nothing you recognize! HG's first potion conference. I'm going back to work full time tomorrow, so my updates might space out to once a week, unless my stress level makes me an insomniac again. Thank you again for your continued readership and support of my fic.

Chapter 10:

"I've just received my confirmation for Bruges, have you registered to go?" It was May and things had been quite smooth for months following their misunderstanding at Christmas, and Hermione took this a sign that perhaps they had overcome a major obstacle, finally finding a common ground and rhythm in their daily lives. She knew better than to push him and for his part it seemed he was truly trying to express himself and bring Hermione into his life in a meaningful way, though they still had much time before her mastery project was finished.

He looked up from his book, his legs crossed and free hand resting gently on the armrest, his pinky tapping an unknown beat. It was a welcome sight, to see him so content in her quarters, Minka curled at his feet and lazily snoozing.

"It's June? I will check my schedule upstairs, but it shouldn't be a problem. Who is the chair?" Hermione scanned her letter again, finding the details of the panels and presentation, hers on the preliminary issues of her new trial in bold letters.

"Piers Devon, do you know him?" Severus' eyes narrowed and he scowled, obviously he knew him. "That bad?"

"He'll have you his best friend before it's over, but he's a cad, watch that one."

"Is he at least competent at potions?"

"Undoubtedly, but I find his methods arcane and his attention to females in the field appalling. But, I will leave you to form your own opinion." He placed his wand on the page of his book and marked it, resting it on the side table and motioning to her. Unable to ignore him, Hermione set her letter beside his book and crawled onto his lap, his arms engulfing her as she did.

"You're being awfully cheerful this morning." She said, kissing the tip of his nose and then his lips, as softly as she could, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I've great company and time, besides, summer is almost upon us." The lines on his face relaxed, the furrowed brow disappeared, and she saw just how calm he really was, her hand moved to his heart.

"It'll be nice to have a little holiday in Bruges, have you been?"

"Yes, once, when I was first here. I became so enamored with the art there, sculptures and paintings, I barely attended the potions conferences. You'll see, it's a lovely city." High praise from him, she thought, imagining him in his twenties strolling around the town and into museums to view art. The castle was adorned with so many amazing pieces, she wondered what his favorites were.

"Is that why you have so many tattoos, I mean to cover scars obviously, but because you admire art?"

"Yes, I have a hard time forgetting beautiful pieces once I've seen them and my scars have made quite a business for tattoo artists. This is the one I got when I went to Bruges last, Madonna and Child. Her face is gorgeous and solemn, I wonder if she knew that one day her son would be sacrificed for the world, it's a weight I see here." He pointed to her eyes, Hermione hadn't noticed before how lovely and bereft the woman appeared.

"Are you religious?" Her curiosity peaked, she'd never heard anyone at Hogwarts talk about religion before.

"My father was and though I do not find myself of any particular religion now, I do have an affinity for Mary, I always have." The image rolled around in her mind, forcing Hermione's brain to think to his life, his past. There were parallels between his admiration for Mary and Lily Evans, though undoubtedly when he'd first loved her, she didn't have a son.

"My parents were catholic, we attended church twice a week for my entire childhood, I find sometimes I miss the ritual of it all, but brewing fulfills some of that." He took her hand in his and kissed each finger tenderly, watching her face as he did, delighting in the happiness in her eyes.

"Let's walk to Hogsmeade for dinner; I'm bored of curry chicken."

"Bored of curry chicken, you?" She laughed, rattling against him as she did, pressing her lips to his before standing. "Well, let's go, I am starving." He took her hand in his and they shared a brief kiss before they both walked from her room, taking the hallways, stairs, and then the gate, leaving the castle for Hogsmeade Village. He sent his patronus to Deputy HeadMaster Sinistra and they were off, careful not to look too chummy as they walked into the Three Broomsticks, but far more comfortable than most of the professors who strolled in. It took no time for each of them to decide what they wanted for dinner, but Hermione found that once they received their wine, she couldn't stop catching her favorite professor's eye. There was something about him that evening, inviting and alluring, as though the cares of his lifetime were suddenly gone, remedied by time and location. In an instant, she wanted to leave the castle and go somewhere, to have him all to herself as this newly freed man, but instead she simply watched him, allowed him to talk more about his day and the rest of term, which was quite short. It was in those moments, when he was truly himself and open, that she found her own heart yearning for him to always be so open, to always want to talk to her so freely.

"You're quiet." He finally said, finishing his diatribe on hiring Neville Longbottom.

"I'm just enjoying you, Severus." Her shy smile made his lip curl, in the way that told her how pleased he was that she wanted him, in all aspects.

"The wine must be good if you find me that entertaining; I'll have to ply you with wine more often." The way the words rolled of his tongue, the rich baritone of his voice, made her suddenly smile again. It hit her hard, the way he looked at her, the light reflecting on his dark, lovely eyes; she loved him, she was sure. Instead of looking away or shying from the intensity of his gaze, Hermione rested her ankle against his, careful not to draw too much attention to them.

"I'm just happy, you know I'm a romantic, I'd be happy sitting with you almost anywhere." His eyebrow raised, he looked around the room and then at her again, taking her soft hand in his for a moment and wishing they were, in fact, somewhere else.

"You truly are, and for that I must, unfortunately, capitulate. My romantic Hermione, whose heart must be twice the size of mine."

"At least…" She laughed, finishing her wine and taking her hand back before the rest of the patrons noticed the headmaster and professor getting too chummy.

"Someday, we will come here and I won't have to pretend this is a meeting."

"Soon enough, though I don't give a rats arse if they talk. We've filled out the paperwork and followed all the bloody rules." Surprised at his words, Hermione took his hand back and pinched him lightly.

"Ouch! Why in Merlin's seven sons did you do that?"

"Just making sure you're really Severus Snape and that I am not dreaming." His scowl almost made her laugh.

"Aren't you supposed to pinch yourself?"

"I guess, but you seem far more pinchable. Come on, let's get back to the castle, I have some grading and you to take care of." He didn't say another word, simply took her hand as she led him from the table, leaving the money for their tab and dinner on the table as they left. Walking with her arm tucked into his, Hermione held him and smiled the entire walk to the school, but once they reached the gates she let go; townspeople talking was one thing, the entire student body was another.

Severus had been entirely correct, Bruges was a lovely city. When the portkey brought them to a field not far out of town, she immediately knew she would like being in Belgium. Once the semester ended, Hermione had spent the time between students departing and the conference working on her presentation and studying up on the other presenters, specifically the chair, Piers Devon. Once they were checked into their hotel, Severus and Hermione, completely free in Bruges, walked around the town, across the many bridges and into cheese and sweet shops. Hermione tempted Severus with a dark chocolate with pistachio and cherries when he obviously spotted someone familiar.

"Careful, it's Devon."

"Severus, old boy, I was so cheered to see your name on my registration docket. How are you?" Hermione's immediate impression of Piers Devon was that he seemed oddly familiar, as though she'd known him in her muggle life. He was tall, taller than Severus, and lean with white hair, slightly wavy with a hint of his former hair color at the nape of his neck, and like Severus he had dark eyes. What was most striking about him, though, was a scar along his right cheek, as though someone had walked right up to him and slashed him with a knife so sharp it could cut steel. He extended his hand to her, but immediately kissed her left cheek, then right.

"And you must be Hermione Granger." He added, practically ignoring that he'd asked Severus a question.

"I am, it is nice to meet you." "Piers." "Piers, I look forward to hearing more about hellebore; we've studied it's many uses with my sixth years this term, they're quite interested to hear what I come back with." He seemed immediately pleased to hear that she had a vested interest in his topic before the conference began.

"Well, I'll be sure to make sure you get a copy of all my notes." She noticed immediately the tightness of Severus' hand on her elbow as Devon leaned closed to her to speak, trying his best to use his suave nature to intrigue her.

"That would be appreciated, thank you. Severus and I were just walking to the Church of Our Lady, we'll see you at dinner this evening?" She made sure that he knew he wasn't invited, feeling Severus' hand slacken as she prompted Devon to leave them be.

"Of course, good day to you both." He stood for a moment, looking awkwardly down the lane, and then walked away leaving Hermione to kiss Severus quickly, making sure he knew just how much she was glad to have him on her arm.

"He reminds me of someone but I can't place it...almost as foolhardy as Lockhart but there's something else." Severus rolled his eyes and seethed, his scowl ever present.

"He is a dolt and you would do well to keep your distance; you are his exact type; smart and pretty, impressionable and eager."

"Impressionable? Honestly, you think I'd fall for his tricks?" Hermione did not want to pick a fight, but she felt a little put off by his comments- she was not going to suddenly fall for another man and certainly not for someone who obviously collected women like trophies.

"You are impressionable, my dear, but I do not think you would fall for his advances. I am more concerned about the level he would go to obtain you." She could see the jealousy in him, the way his shoulders tensed and his eyes would not meet hers, so she reached up to him and pulled his face to hers.

"Severus, I am not going to be alone with him so it will not be an issue and I…" Pausing, she put his hair behind his ears and then played with the buttons of his frock coat not ready to tell him exactly how she felt. She stood on her toes and kissed him softly, pulling him with her towards the church not finishing her sentence. By the time they went through the doors, he was calmer, relaxed even.

"This is beautiful." Hermione remarked, wiping a tear from her eye as she looked around the church. It made her think of the small parish church she attended, though obviously this church was much larger. Taking a seat in a pew, Severus put his arm around her shoulders and let her weep, though he didn't know exactly why she was crying and didn't want to pry.

((()))

At dinner, Hermione was seated between Piers Devon and Severus, with several other Potions Masters and some of their apprentices. It felt like an odd mix of people, though she could hear them chattering quite easily about their schools, stores, etc, each one interested in one topic or another. It should've made her nervous to think of presenting her material to such accomplished and qualified persons, but she knew she was prepared and ready. When Devon raised his glass for a toast, she noticed it, the sly look he was giving her and instantly realized it was Sirius Black he reminded her of, if his hair had been dark. The same flirtatious nature and general willingness to act without thought. She wondered if that was another aspect of the disdain Severus held for him.

"Tomorrow will begin our presentations, please be respectful of the work they've put into this conference and reserve extreme criticisms for panels or in the form of writing, I'm looking at you, Hornsby. Goodnight!" Hermione looked to the lady Devon had pointed to and laughed, she looked like the sweetest old lady and she was sure he was joking. Before leaving the table and her glass of white zinfandel, Hermione found Devon with his arm around her shoulder, leaning into her, his mouth at her ear whispering something indistinguishable from the noise of the room. When she turned her face slightly to ask him to speak up, he let go of her and walked off.

"Well that was odd, I couldn't even hear what he was saying." Severus smirked, but took her arm and walked her to their suite where he promptly undressed her, made love to her twice, and then slept with his arms wound around her so tightly she barely slept. She'd no idea Severus was quite so jealous as there weren't many eligible men at Hogwarts, but it was a side of him she certainly hadn't anticipated at all. It made her feel loved, even if it was motivated by a selfish need to possess her, she only hoped that he didn't take it to a level that included violence.

The next morning, Hermione disentangled herself from Severus and showered, choosing her outfit from her packed bags, watching Severus sleeping, increasingly more attractive the more she looked at him. His eyes finally opened and saw her staring at him, her own eyes sweetened towards him.

"You'll miss my presentation if you don't get up, Headmaster Snape." She crawled onto the bed in her pencil skirt and ruffled blouse, the belt at her waist digging in slightly as she felt his hand go over her stockings.

"It would be shame to ruin these." He whispered, kissing her knee to her ankle and then eyeing her. She rolled her legs back and kissed him, pushing him off the bed. "Taskmaster." When he wasn't ready by the time she headed down to her conference room, Hermione called out to him saying she'd see him downstairs. She walked down the hall, taking her bag and key, taking the lift to the third floor and found her room, water and a pen at the table. Taking out her notes, she arranged her notecards and visual, her wand flicking to procure a screen with notes and visual aids from her research, flicking through a couple to make sure they were still in the right order.

"You look quite natural up there, Professor." Hermione turned to see Piers Devon in the doorway to the classroom, looking more and more like Sirius to her, almost twinging her heart as she thought of Harry. He sauntered up to her, shaking her hand again and looking over her notes. "When you sent in your proposal, I thought there was no way a young woman your age had already fixed a major error in the Wolfsbane potion that we haven't even considered for almost a century, but I was terribly wrong. Am I to believe you have submitted a proposal with plans to cure lycanthropy?"

"You have heard correctly, it will be my Master's project, though I will most likely be unsuccessful, I will endeavor to do my best." Her quill marked through a few words as she spoke to him, his person so close to her she could smell him and feel his breath. When she finally looked at him again, she was reminded how tall he was, at least six foot six and looming over her, his eyes traveling over her notes repetively.

"From what I have heard about you, Professor, I do not doubt for one moment you will not try your damndest to be successful. Though I will not likely be the chair next year, you will have a place in this conference as you progress through your research; the potioneers who attend are ripping at the seams to see what you've done. You should be proud of yourself, truly." Hermione felt herself swell momentarily with pride, allowing the part of her which craved reinforcement and recognition to be sated. He was saying exactly the things she'd wanted to hear from her own potions professor for so many years.

"I don't know how to respond to that...so thank you, I find that this is a tough business to navigate. You potioneers are a tough bunch, quite unwilling, sometimes, to share." She heard herself almost teasing him, laughing as she wrote her name on her notes, making sure to keep her eyes from his.

"That's true, unfortunately, most of us do not like to share." The double-entendre, the flirtation in his voice made her blush, but thankfully other conference attendees began to filter in, taking seats and looking towards her; she felt thirteen and inexperienced for a moment, before she looked back to Devon and noticed how he was admiring her. He was most certainly a dangerous man.

Hermione's presentation went off without a hitch, her slides were timed perfectly, her voice never quivered and the personal trials she presented all made sense. It was almost effortless, though she'd prepared for months for the moment. When she came to the end of her presentation, she made sure to pause and look to Severus who was sitting towards the back in his regular clothing, looking quite like everyone else in the room.

"This project was initially inspired by one of my dear friends, Remus Lupin, who was bitten as a young boy and spent his life on the outskirts of society, barely able to have a life until Wolfsbane made it possible. He died before I could even consider a project of this magnitude, but my efforts are always with him in mind. Additionally, I'd like to thank Headmaster Severus Snape, for supporting me through this effort and even helping brew in the initial stages. Though he can no longer participate due to my enrollment in the Potions Master program, I am forever indebted to his teachings while I attended Hogwarts and to his support as a colleague and boss; it is a rare gift to be given practically carte blanche in designing and implementing not only my potions curriculum, but in this effort as well, especially considering the reputation he has built in his own career as a Potions Master. I only hope that my work will bring the right kind of notoriety to Hogwarts, and be a testament to the leadership of my school and his dedication to us . Thank you." Hermione put her wand down, effectively removing the screen and her voice modification allowing her to speak loudly enough for the room. She found that she couldn't make eye contact with Severus, who she feared might be embarrassed by her speech. Instead, she looked to Piers Devon who looked like a kid at Easter who'd found a golden egg, desperately ready to unwrap it. He said some things to the crowd, something about a panel after lunch and she was off into the crowd, trying to navigate through with random people stopping her to say hello or thank her for her work. When she'd been surrounded for more than twenty minutes, Hermione searched the room for him, but didn't see him, instead she found Devon at her side, ushering her out of the room.

"Did you see Severus?" She asked, looking to him with a pained expression.

"He is a most private man, I am sure he removed himself before the crowd could launch themselves at him." Devon's hand was once again at her elbow, directing her away from the conference room and she finally saw Severus at the end of the hall, watching her like the spy he'd been for years. Her face lit up, her hand motioned him over, every fiber of her being wanted him to be at her side. Instead of waiting, she went to him, her legs elongated by her heels. As soon as she was at his side, she wanted to launch herself at him, to kiss him and thank him for helping her find the courage to become a Potions Master.

"I hope I didn't embarrass you." Hermione shyly put her hand on his forearm, unaware at first that Piers Devon was still behind her.

"Of course you didn't, I simply do not want these leeches trying to steal you away from Hogwarts, I've already been offered an exorbitant amount to release you from your contract." Hermione's eye rounded large and she laughed, the expression on his face as stone.

"Seriously? What fools, as though I would ever leave." But her laughter stopped when she saw the cool look cross his face and the almost pained expression that immediately followed.

"You will someday, there's no doubt of that, we won't be able to hold you back once you cure lycanthropy, and you won't want to be held back, trust me." Suddenly, Hermione didn't know where he was coming from, why was he insisting that someday she would want to do anything but teach down the hall from her favorite person, even if she continued to research outside of her field or decided to work towards other goals, she didn't think she would ever want to leave Hogwarts now that it felt like home. Her hand dropped, switching her bag and then turning towards the crowd that was moving to another conference. It almost beckoned her to leave him there, commiserating in the pain of his own creation, but instead she didn't.

"Why can I not just continue researching and doing my job as I have done for two years now? Do you think me so incapable of finishing my contract or finding contentedness for myself that I would be swayed by the glittery promises of wealth and prestige? I have money, more money than I know what to do with, and prestige and notoriety- as for that, there's only ever been one person's acceptance and approval I've sought for years, it seems I still don't have it." Her voice was cool and calm, not nearly as hysterical as she was beginning to feel. Hermione stepped to her left and took a water from the barrell and took several swallows before she found that her bubble had burst a bit. It was immediately clear he was doing what he normally did, pushing her to make sure her decision was purely hers, but she had just come off an adrenaline high she could barely describe and though she would've liked him to be more supportive, she knew he was being him. Opening her bag, Hermione pulled out her schedule and saw that the panel for the uses of witch hazel was starting in ten minutes.

"I'm going to witch hazel." Pushing the paper back in her bag, Hermione squeezed his arm and walked off, Piers Devon still on her heels, his presence beginning to grate her. Couldn't he see that she loved Severus Snape, couldn't he surmise from the conversation he'd overheard that she was devoted to him? When she entered the room, which was quite full, she took a seat in the back, but found that she was immediately surrounded by people she didn't know, which was fine for the moment as she didn't want to speak to anyone.

An hour later, she filtered out with the rest of the crowd and went to the restaurant for lunch, unable to find Severus, she took her lunch to a small table and read through her notes again, making sure she'd brought up all the pertinent points. SIlently, she perusing her notes, she looked around the room and took in the crowd; most of the people were like her, smart and effective, a little introverted but keen to learn. It made her feel welcome and somewhat at home to be so comfortable in a room of strangers.

"I didn't mean to imply anything except that your mind is so…" Severus sat across from her, so quietly at first Hermione didn't even notice him

"What? Annoying, insufferable?"

"Teaching is a thankless task often and conducting research takes a toll, you may find in the future that you would rather devote all your time to research. It was not my intention to convey any unprofessionalism, you are a consummate professional."

"And if that ever happens, if I get to a place where I feel my research warrants a sabbatical, I will consult you. It's not as though I will turn up in your office some day and quit without warning, besides, I would hope you'd be retired by the time I chose to leave." He was unreadable again, the pasta on his plate swirling in an unending motion. "I try not to let you provoke me into saying things, Severus, and perhaps I have a penchant for taking the things you say to heart, but I would hope at this point you know how ardently I admire you and that being said, would consider you in my future plans, even if you push me not to." His fork dropped.

"Precisely, you should not base your future on my opinions."

"I am not basing my future on your opinions. I make my own decisions and follow my heart, which just happens to want to know your opinions as well. If your plan is that in two years, I will leave Hogwarts and effectively, you, I'm sorry to inform you that is unlikely to happen. Unless Horace Slughorn comes to me in August in two years and begs me to let him have his job back, I won't be leaving unless you force me, in which case if you're forcing me, I doubt I'll want to stay." Perhaps the kind things she'd said about him had hit a nerve, maybe she should've told him she was going to say such things.

"You make it sound as though I'm some vapid airhead who simply listens to the first man who tells her to do or not do something. I'm not, by the way." She pushed her plate away, angry that he was picking a fight for no reason, but her voice still low and almost as menacing as his.

"Obviously."

"Not obviously if you are implying it. I ask your opinion because you're my bestfriend, my confidant, hell even Harry has no idea what I'm up to half the time and my other friends even less. They've families and jobs, and I have my work." She'd lost her patience and felt the room, which had moments before been comforting to her, now closing in. "I would hope to have you, as well." She whispered, smoothing her hair back into her braid and folding her arms.

"Undoubtedly you have me, it's simply a matter of time before you realize your capacity, progress, and abilities outgrow Hogwarts." It was a backhanded compliment, something nice wrapped in something ugly.

"Yes and I'll outgrow you, is that the implication? Because you're being a git, Severus."

"Why can't you take a compliment, you said you sought my approval, I am telling you in the words I can that you far exceed any expectations I ever had of you and that I am fortunate as your boss that you find your job rewarding, and as for myself, I am astounded you even consider me at all." The jealousy she'd seen before was clearly present.

"It is a backhanded compliment and you know it. You commend me and imply that I am too good for my job, as though I'm some Malfoy who cares about public persona. Sometimes I think you like to rile me up so you can see how far I will go to defend myself."

"Or I simply want you to understand your motives."

"You are a glutton for punishment." She didn't care about the implications, his history, instead she took a gulp of her water and let herself calm down. As her pulse calmed, she wondered if they would ever have an outing or event that didn't involve his insecurities and her need to prove herself.

"I'm attending Devon's panel in five minutes and then I am going to our room." He nodded towards her. "After that, I am going to order food to our room because I want do nothing but let the stress of the last six months fall away. If you'd like to join me, you know where I'll be." She snapped her back closed, her voice soft as though she were speaking to Teddy but still terse.

"Someday, Severus, you will believe me and I will have the satisfaction of proving you wrong, unless you push me off a bloody cliff first." Hermione smiled at him, standing next to him and tipping his chin up towards her. In his eyes, she found a swirling chasm of doubt, so much damage, and a hint of anger still, on the fringes. It worried her that after a year and a half, he was still so unsure about her. In a flash, she kissed his cheek and left the restaurant, full of doubt and worry herself, afraid that one the times he pushed her away, she'd actually let him.

When he finally came back to their suite, she was sleeping soundly under the covers, room service neatly stowed on the table, a portion for him under a heating charm. His eyes swept over her; she had a supreme inclination to take his words to heart and normally the wrong way. Alternately, he knew he was harsh and pushed her away, too often, but it was his nature to be alone, to crave the solitary for fear of losing another person he cared for so deeply. Divesting of his clothes, aside from a black undershirt and underwear, he sat at the table and quietly ate, but hard his teeth, and washed his face before joining her in the bed, pulling her close to him. Hermione woke a little, in her haze she smiled at him, which forced him to kiss her. How could she be so forgiving?

"I love you." He whispered against her skin, but it seemed she'd already fallen asleep. Kissing her once more on her cheek, he buried his face in her mass of curls and gave in to sleep as well.

(((())))

Morning came quickly for Hermione, who saw the rays of sun shine through the curtains and felt instantly as though she could have a lie in. But, she knew there were four more presentations she wanted to attend before leaving the following day and going to 12 Grimmauld Place to see her Potters. Pushing the blanket back a bit and finding Severus's hand on her stomach, she appraised him, and then the room. He'd eaten dinner and come to bed at some point, but she didn't recall even a moment of it, except for perhaps a kiss or two once he'd settled in. Once she surveyed the room again, she stretched, careful not to wake Severus and went to the loo, brushing her teeth and hair, which had become quite tangled while she slept. She knew that was Severus's doing as he was incessantly in her hair, twirling it through his fingers, over and over almost as a child to his favorite toy or blanket. It had a calming effect on her as well, though she did like to point out to him how messy it made her hair, so often she braided it and he simply ran his fingers through her scalp.

"You look awfully tired this morning." She heard from the doorway as she used to wet brush to control her hair.

"I don't know why, I slept wonderfully once you came to bed." Leaning over to him, she kissed his chin then went back into the sitting area of their suite and continued brushing, trying her best to avoid thoughts about their disagreement the day prior. She thought instead about seeing Teddy and James, how much they must've grown in her absence and seeing Harry and Ginny, she so needed a laugh.

"Do you want to eat downstairs?" Hermione asked him as he joined her on the couch, his arm around her shoulders.

"Yes, I am suddenly quite hungry." They showered and changed, Hermione donning her favorite purple professional outfit before grabbing her bag and waiting for him at the door. Before turning the handle, Severus took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and placed the softest of kisses on her lips.

Piers Devon met them at the other end of the lift, effectively dampening Hermione's good mood for the moment, he wanted her impressions of the panel on hellebore, but she did not want to rock the fragile peace she and Severus had made, so she was polite but curt, asking him to send her the materials he said he would and that she would get back to him as soon as she could. They ate in companionable silence, his free hand on her leg whenever possible.

They attended two sessions before lunch and two after, meeting with all the participants for dinner at the restaurant. She couldn't escape Piers Devon, though they'd been seated at separate tables, thankfully. When the dancing started, she found that she wanted nothing more than to retire to their room for a decent night's sleep once more and a lounge with Severus, but when Severus left to get them drinks, Piers Devon sat next to her, like prey eyeing his kill he leaned into her and asked her to dance. When she'd put up her hand to protest, he took that as a yes and took it, leading her to the dance floor, his hand settling a little too low on her back for her comfort.

"How have you enjoyed the lectures?" His hands were cold, unnaturally cold.

"As I have nothing to compare this to, I would say it's been informative and enriching, my students will certainly enjoy hearing about new methods and techniques. And I am glad to have one under my belt, so next year I won't be quite as nervous." He pulled her a little closer, his hand at her waist treading dreadfully close to her bum.

"It is nice to have some young blood here; some of these potions professors have been teaching for sixty or more years. Can you imagine their lectures?" Hermione couldn't help but laugh, thinking of Professor Binns and her classes with him.

"Be glad you didn't go to Hogwarts, we actually had a ghost for a professor who was teaching us ancient history as though it happened yesterday, which I might've enjoyed had he not been dreadfully boring."

"What was your Snape like as a professor?" The question caught Hermione off guard, but she quickly recovered.

"He was demanding and honest, a brow-beater. I don't know if I ever received top marks for any of my work; he simply did not suffer fools or those who thought they had nothing to learn. We didn't know how divergent his life was then or otherwise we might've given him some slack or perhaps he might've have given us slack. Regardless, I much prefer being his colleague than his student; much more patient." It was Devon's turn to laugh, but the obvious affection in her eyes and voice wasn't lost on him, he released her slightly as the song slowed.

"It is a pity that he no longer teaches, we miss having him present."

"Can he not present as a headmaster?" She implored, her eyebrows creased severely.

"Of course, but he does not. He hasn't presented in, well, at least four years. We normally had two sessions devoted to him, some years it was clear it was his outlet." Hermione finally looked back to their table and saw him staring at them, but not with the look she was expecting, he looked passive but not angry.

"Well, he would definitely be brewing more if I wasn't working towards my masters. I'm afraid I monopolize the labs as often as possible and now that he can't help me with wolfsbane, we don't brew together unless it's for the infirmary." The song ended, but he held onto her, almost wishing another appropriate song would play. Hermione thanked him for the dance, knowing that their conversation hadn't really reached a conclusion, but she wanted to get back to Severus.

"Sorry, he sort of kidnapped me. You know he thinks rather highly of you?"

"Oh really, I find that nearly unbelievable." She sipped the drink he'd gotten her and moved closer to him, speaking softly in his ear.

"I think rather highly of you, is that hard to believe?"

"Hermione…"Devon sat swiftly next to him before he could finish his sentence.

"Professor Granger holds you in high esteem, Severus, even complimented your teaching style." Piers Devon's glass was full of a curiously red wine which Hermione could smell two seats away. "I thought, at first, she was just being kind, but Hermione, tell him." Severus looked between them, resting his eyes finally on Hermione who looked eager to strike.

"The headmaster knows how I feel about him and his teaching, but thank you for conveying my esteem, he doesn't hear often enough how much we appreciate him. And now, ready for that walk?" Placing her hand on Severus's arm, Hermione stood and thanked Devon for a lovely evening.

"Good evening, Devon." Severus finally said, which Hermione snickered at as he hadn't said many words to him the entire conference.

"You were nice."

"Sometimes, it makes too much effort to treat someone how they truly deserve." They stood waiting on the lift, Hermione still tucked neatly into his side, their arms encircled. It was a lovely evening, far better than the previous one. When they finally fell asleep, after slowly undressing each other and making love, Hermione found that her mind continued to wander all night, even her dreams were anxious. At some point in the night, she awoke and found she could no longer sleep, so she grabbed her journal and began detailing her presentation and the others she attended, trying to make sure she put their names and contact information on the pages, compiling it all as Severus awoke in the morning.

"Have you been up all night?" He groggily asked, reaching for her leg and giving it a gentle squeeze.

"I couldn't sleep, my brain wouldn't stop. I didn't wake you, did I?"

"No, you didn't, but as I am awake, come here." He closed her journal and pulled her to him cradling her as they lay together, her head under his chin.

"Will you come to Grimmauld Place this week?' Sheepishly, she asked, worried they wouldn't see each other much over the summer aside from days she knew she'd be at Hogwarts working on her master's project and brewing for Madame Pomfrey.

"I will, I have a chess match with young Lupin."

"Well, I'm glad Teddy can draw you to Harry's home." Her laugh shook them both; she didn't want to move another inch, she simply wanted to do what they hadn't been able to do the days prior which was to lounge together for an indeterminate amount of time. Instead, they lay there for another thirty minutes before both of their bladders made it impossible to stay in a bed for another minute, so they showered and packed, leaving Bruges from the same beautiful field in which they left. When they reached Hogsmeade, Hermione gave him a hug and kiss, then apparated to Harry's home. She felt conflicted and unsure of herself but still hopeful, as she always was, that Severus would eventually ease into their relationship with the same optimism and longevity that she saw. It wasn't as though she wanted him to propose marriage, but she certainly wanted something more concrete and her next days were spent contemplating ways to assuage her concerns and his, but came up short. Her time was filled with sweet James and Teddy, catching up with Ginny and Harry, but when Severus came through the door on the Thursday after they'd come home from Belgium, she felt immediately at home, as though Grimmauld Place was their holiday home. He ruffled Teddy's hair and even let James tug at his buttons, before placing a chaste kiss on Hermione's cheek, immediately falling into conversation with Harry. When James became tired, she carried him to his room and rocked him, so thankful to feel her own relief and the weight of her anxiety lifting like leaves blowing in the wind, picked up so easily from the ground.