Chapter Eleven: Vesuers
Slumping onto the couch and dismissing Eli was becoming rather a routine for Hermione Granger. Her lessons thus far had been a great success with nearly every student not only completing the basics of each assignment but also deepening their understanding with thorough studying. Hermione was extremely pleased with the outcome of her first day as Professor Granger.
However, after day must come night and specifically that night, Hogsmede with Professor Snape. They planned to meet at the entrance to Hogwarts at seven, (sharp), she reminded herself after recalling the Potions Master's specific mention of promptness. She didn't want to piss him off, especially as he had been man enough to even initiate a meeting about their daughter.
It was half past six by the time Hermione finished cooking Septima's tea and giving her a bath, before setting her up with several books to occupy the young lady whilst she was out.
"Mummy?" asked Septima as she watched her mother put on her make-up and dry her hair. "What exactly are you and Uncle Presser going on a date for?"
"It is not a date!"
"So you keep saying but..." she paused for effect, "in one of my books it says about a Mummy of a girl without a Daddy, going out with a man on a date. But I'm a little confused because the man moved in with the mummy and was then daddy to the girl. But I don't want a daddy who isn't really my daddy."
"What in Merlin's name are you waffling on about Septima? What book have you been reading?"
"It's one of yours mummy. There was a bit of kissy wissy in it so I set in on fire. It was all ewww!" She pulled a face like she had just eaten something horrifically sour.
"Septima Snape!" She turned away from the mirror to face her troublesome daughter. "Firstly, I'm not going on a date with Professor Snape so stop insinuating
that I am, secondly you should never touch my books and most importantly, do not use magic at all, never mind to set my things alight!" Septima jumped of the bed with tears in her eyes and ran as fast her little legs could carry her out of the room; presumably to Eli.
Hermione sighed. It was increasingly hard looking after a three year old with only a bloody house elf for help and support. At least prior to Hogwarts she had Harry and Ginny. 'Damn,' she thought as she made her way over to the wardrobe, 'a successful night tonight is most definitely imperative. We both need Severus even if we don't fully know it yet.'
At five to seven Hermione left the tower and made her way up to the entrance hall. Not a single student passed her on the way, suggesting that everybody else was at dinner; her and Severus' absence would surely not go unnoticed by the other Professors.
Unsure about were they were going in Hogsmede, whether it be for a meal or something to drink, Hermione dressed in the most suitable clothing she could acquire. She wore tight black denim jeans with a fitted waistcoat over a long and similarity tight white round neck t-shirt. Over this, she wore her customary black cloak, lined with a rich purple silk. (The latter a graduation present from the Potters'.)
Upon arrival to the main corridor, Hermione caught sight of a billowing black figure about thirty feet ahead of her, striding towards the entrance; Snape. He wore his usual black cloak, buttoned up tightly, revealing nothing about what he wore underneath; 'the typical Snape veneer' she thought.
"Good Evening Severus. I hope my timing is acceptable." She smiled teasingly at him as she reached the large oak doors but his mouth remained in a firm line.
"I hope that was a rhetorical question Miss Granger, as we both know that I said seven o'clock was the time at which we were to meet."
"Yes of course, silly me for trying to engage in a little light banter."
"If I wanted banter Miss Granger I would have spent the evening with Dumbledore and his incessant need to remind me of my responsibilities."
"Indeed. Shall we go?"
"Would you rather stay here all evening?" He asked, sarcasm present in his tone.
"Would you?"
"No. Which is why I asked you to accompany me to Hogsmede."
"Are you always this obtuse Severus?" she asked.
In reply he simply walked away and out of the main doors. "Only around insufferable know it alls," he muttered stepping out into the cold September air.
They didn't exchange one solitary word as they walked down the lane to Hogsmede, until Hermione built up the courage to ask about where they were going.
"Muggle London," was his answer as he swept towards an apparation point, "away from prying ears. I presume you can apparate without splinching yourself?"
"Of course but I'll need to know were we are going. After all I wouldn't to resort to Legilimens to find out a simple thing as a destination now would I?"
"You wouldn't be able to if you tried." He snapped. "Vesuers is the name of our destination. It is bar on Oxford Street." Without awaiting a reply, the Potions Master apparated leaving a shocked Hermione behind.
'Why would Severus Snape want to go to Muggle London, never mind a bar in Muggle London?" Before dying of frost bite, Hermione followed Severus' leave and apparated into an alley way just off Oxford Street, (not directly apparating and scaring the Muggles to death!)
Upon arrival it was apparent that Severus hadn't even waited for her, so she stomped out of the alley way and made a short journey towards the bar with the
illuminated green sign of 'Vesuers' above it. From the outside it looked an ordinary bar, the brickwork painted black and two beefy bouncers on the door. They both grabbed her by the arm as she attempted to walk in.
"And where do you think your going?" the larger of the two asked.
"Err…inside!" How dare they grab onto her in such a violent manner!
"Oh no you aren't! Have you got a V.I.P pass?"
"No. Should I have?"
"You can't get in without one dar'lin," piped up the other short stocky one.
"Well, an erm friend of mine just came in here I think."
"His name?"
"Severus Snape."
"A V.I.P pass in its own right," muttered one of the bouncers.
"Go on in lady," smirked the other letting go of her arm.
Confused, Hermione made her way into the bar and down a flight of stairs to what she presumed was the basement of the establishment. A long bar at the far end, illuminated the rest of the room, which was separate into several sections of seating areas. The seating its self was red leather standing out from the black painted walls. It was a very modern bar.
She spotted the familiar dark figure of Severus Snape leaning against the bar waiting to be served and she marched over with intent.
"Have you not even the courtesy to wait for me when you apparate off to an unknown place Severus!"
"It seems not." He replied shortly, turning back to the waitress who had come over to serve the drinks.
"A pint of Carlsberg, six sambuka shots and whatever she likes."
"I'll have a glass of rosé please and two Sambuka shots. He'll pay," she finished and pointed towards Severus.
Still angry at his lack of courtesy Hermione made her way to the only available booth next to the dance floor, leaving Severus to carry the drinks.
After several trips to and from the bar, Severus finally sat down beside the mother of his daughter as he took a sip of his pint.
"This is a very un-Severus place to be," she began trying to understand why exactly Snape had brought her here.
"Quite the contrary actually Miss Granger, it is exactly a 'Severus place to be'. Are you familiar with the concept of anagrams?"
"Of course I am. Your point is?" She was becoming agitated by the closeness of Severus as he sat beside her and also with his constant riddles.
"I believe that if you rearrange the name of this establishment: 'Vesuers,' you will see 'my point'."
Hermione closed her eyes in concentration before stating "Severus! Vesuers is an anagram of Severus!"
"Ten points to Gryffindor" he drawled as he downed a shot in one.
"So this is your bar?"
"No it's Dumbledore's" he answered sarcastically.
"Your sarcasm is very tedious," she stated dryly, when actually she found it rather appealing.
"As is your necessity to know everything."
"Oh shut up Severus. Or should I say grow up."
"Grow up Miss Granger, is something you have indeed done. Into whom however I do not know. You seem remotely different from your student days."
"Having a child does that to you Severus. You should try it some time."
"That is what I tend to do."
"So you want to be a part of Septima's life."
"I do. I warn you that I will not tolerate any hugging however." He smirked slightly.
"So where are we to go from here?" she asked wanting to know how he wanted to go about telling their daughter.
"To the bar I think. These shots are very nice however disappear like Snargly Pins on a summer's day." He went to stand but was stopped by a firm arm on his. He sat as it pulled him back down.
"I mean about telling Septima you are her father."
"I'm sure that when she is told of her parentage she will be scarred for life. So as soon as you are prepared to inflict that upon her, will be the right time to tell her."
"No she won't Severus she already likes her Uncle Presser. Infact she has been asking me to take her to your quarters so as you can play with her."
"Uncle Presser! Dear lord that girl is nearly as infuriating as her mother! How many times did I tell her it was Professor Snape?"
"Several. She also thinks you look like Batman but with, and I quote, 'very pretty hair'."
To both Hermione's delight and surprise Severus began to laugh.
"Well that's one I've never heard before! I think Miss Snape is becoming more and more appealing by the minute."
"I hope so. She needs you Severus. And for her sake as well as ours, we need to at least try and be friends. It just won't do for us to be at each others throats' all the time and for you to call me Miss Granger."
"Okay Hermione, I shall give it my best shot."
"Talking of shots," she smiled, "I believed it's my round." Hermione shuffled past Severus' lap brushing slightly against him and up towards the bar. The Potions Master watched as she walked, swaying her hips slightly and receiving many mesmerized looks from many mesmerized men. Including him. She really was beautiful.