First and foremost, I would like to point out that though I admire the woman's writing prowess I am not, nor will I ever be J.K. Rowling. So needless to say, I don't own anything Harry Potter, so if you recognize it I probably don't own it
Secondly this is my first ever attempt at a Grape so flamers, go easy.
Thirdly except for a few brief mentions, the life of Tom Marvolo Riddle, a.k.a. Lord Voldemort is completely ignored. Well at least, as of right now I'm not planning on using his name a lot.
Fourthly, 99.987654321% of this story will be in Hermione's P.O.V. Except for a few brief spots of somebody else's.
Fifthly, I will never beg for reviews, but I would greatly appreciate them. I'm all for constructive criticism, and would also greatly appreciate that, but as for my number two, flamers please go easy.
And last, but most certainly not least, Enjoy!
READ THE AUTHORS NOTE AT THE BOTTOM PLEASE!
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Sally - Thank you! I'm glad that you liked it.
This chapter was beta-d by Aimless Wonder, who never ceases to amaze me.
Deseo del Corazón
Chapter Ten
'Five days' Hermione thought to herself.
It had been five days since the club and her cheeks were still turning red at the memory of the way they had danced. And to top it all off, Severus hadn't been angry at all that she had pulled away.
"Severus," she said timidly, pulling him to the side as their friends walked out, "You're not angry are you? That I pulled away?
"No," he replied, giving her hand a small squeeze in reassurance, "I didn't want our first kiss to be in front of an audience either."
Smiling at the memory, Hermione made her way down the staircase. But whatever she had been expecting to see when she entered the kitchen, bouquet upon bouquet of flowers wasn't it. They were everywhere; she nearly tripped over one as she walked around the corner.
"Where did all this come from?" She asked the crowded kitchen.
Harry smiled at her over a bouquet of roses, munching on a piece of toast. "They all came from the ministry. Don't worry, they're not all for you. This probably just means that our wedding dates are already set. There should be a letter for you somewhere around here."
Hermione glared at him, remembering that the morning after the dance was when she had finished the evaluation and sent it off. She had been a bit reluctant when she'd done it, but still happy.
Picking up the letter that she spied attached to the front of the nearest arrangement, she narrowed her eyes at the flamboyant writing on the thick parchment. Stifling a groan, she opened it.
"Dear Miss Granger," she said in a stuffy, arrogant voice, "I just wanted to thank you for the promptness of filling in the forms. As of yet, we do not have a date set, but we will let you know as soon as possible. As to-"
The letter was snatched from her hand by Ginny, who danced away before she could do anything.
"As to the flower arrangement," she continued, in a voice that sounded awfully like Professor Umbridge's, "They are to commemorate the new initiative that the Ministry has established, namely 'Date Nights'!"
There was a snort from Mrs. Weasley.
"Mondays, as well as Thursdays through to Saturdays have been established as date nights. It has become mandatory that both individuals shall each plan two dates corresponding to these four days."
Harry took it from Ginny when she offered it to him, and Hermione stood there, huffing with her arms crossed over her chest.
"The first date is deemed to be Mr. Snape's choice, and so you are to be ready at 8 o'clock. However you are to converse with your fiancé on who will plan for the remaining days." He cleared his throat then, and in a voice very unlike the man who wrote the letter said, "Yours Sincerely, Harold Mulligan."
As he finished, Aphrodite and a large barn owl flew in the window and landed on the table in front of Hermione.
"Something from Snape?" She stroked Aphrodite's feathers as she untied the letters from her and the other owl.
"Look who's popular today." Ginny said with a cheeky grin, earning a glare from the brightest witch of their age.
Figuring Severus's letter was the lesser of two evils she sat down in front of an empty plate and opened it first.
Hermione,
The infernal ministry of magic has filled my kitchen with obnoxious flowers, and insisted that we have a date tonight at eight, somewhere of my choosing, so dress casual. To answer your question from your last letter, Yes, I do have a house-elf.
Her name is Pipsy and she has been eager to meet you. She belonged to my mother, and upon her death, has since refused to leave me. She has one day a week off to do as she likes, as well as every other weekend. know that it may not seem like much, but Pipsy down right refuses to take any more than the one galleon a week I've been giving her. I have mentioned your conquests with S.P.E.W. to her but I promise you that, though she admires you, she does not wish to be free.
Severus
Smiling at the letter, she placed it down on the table before turning to the other.
"Huh. Wonder what McGonagall wants," she muttered upon seeing the Hogwart's crest.
Miss Granger,
I hope that you and your friends have been doing well. I need to speak with you, today would be preferable. I'm open after lunch.
Deputy Headmistress
Minerva McGonagall
Have read through it twice, she pulled some food onto her plate, at the same time banishing the flowers upstairs to Ginny's room. "So, did anyone else get an exceedingly obnoxious flower display?"
"I was at the shop yesterday helping out Gred and Forge," said Ron, grinning, "And they both had one."
Hermione smiled. "How are you and Lavender doing?"
Ron's grin faltered for a second.
"Well, she's okay. Still a bit miffed about the necklace thing." He rubbed the back of his head. "And she was irritated last week because I couldn't dance like Snape."
"That's 'Professor Snape' for you, Ronald," she quipped, "Unlike me, you still have a year left of school."
His eyes narrowed and Ginny laughed. "I still can't believe that you got your N.E.W.T.s via owl order while on the run from Voldemort. Only you, Hermione."
"Well they don't call me the brightest witch of my age for nothing," she responded pompously, waving her finger around as she did so, before both Ginny and her broke into a fit of giggles at her antics.
Mrs. Weasley looked at her from her place by the stove. "Hermione dear, what are you doing today?"
"I was going to go to Diagon Alley after breakfast to browse through some things. Get some new parchment, some books and all that. Then McGonagall wants to meet with me after lunch. Do you need me to pick anything up?" Hermione asked.
"Well, I'm running rather short on tangleweed for healing creams, and a few other supplies. I've made a list."
She held up a piece of paper and a money bag, before setting them both on the table. Grabbing the paper, she looked it over.
"Don't worry, it won't be a problem. They should have all of this at the apothecary, if not I'll see if I can get you some through mail order." She quickly finished her meal, before folding the list and putting it in her pocket. Grabbing her hand bag, she stuck her arm in, searching around for a few seconds before finally pulling out a few jars. "Here, you can use some of mine if you need to."
Molly smiled. "No, it's fine dear, I've still got some of the cream left, but I am almost out. I'll be able to whip some up in a jiffy when you get back." Hermione moved towards the door and had her hand on the knob when the Weasley matriarch said gently, "Oh, and good luck at your meeting with Minerva dear!"
Having said her goodbyes, Hermione exited the house and started down the path with a slight skip to herself. She had never really had a big thing for shopping, but she enjoyed going alone as it allowed to spend as much time as she wanted looking at books. Apparating to the Leaky Cauldron, she looked around at the patrons for a moment before continuing to the entrance of the alley.
"Hello, Miss Granger!" Tom called out as he took an order from a customer.
"Hello, Tom." She called back before disappeared through the back-door. Making her way down the tiny alley, she withdrew her wand when she reached the brick wall, before tapping the right brick to allow her entrance.
They alley was just as busy as the day when Hermione had first visited it. With the threat of Voldemort gone, the paths were teeming with wizards and witches. Deciding to get Molly's ingredients first, she headed off to the Apothecary.
Entering the shop, Hermione walked over to one of the many shelves lining the walls; various jars were on display.
"Let's see... Tangleweed. Check."
She turned a few around so that she could see their labels.
"Lacewing flies. Check."
She looked around for the other ingredients, and when she couldn't find them, walked up to the counter.
"Hello?" She called. "Do you have any Argagantuam blossoms and Santerfleeg powder?"
She jumped as two arms suddenly came down from either side of her, setting two jars down on the counter in front of her. Turning slowly, she immediately found herself face to face with her future husband. "Oh! Severus."
"Shopping for tonight?"
Hermione's cheeks turned a stunning red. "I'm really just here to browse. Molly asked if I could pick some things up for her. I thought about getting something for tonight but-"
Severus put his finger against her lip to stop her rambling. "It's fine Hermione, calm down."
"What can I help you with Missus?" A kind voice said from behind her.
Turning back around, Hermione smiled at the elderly lady before pushing the four jars forward.
"I need to purchase these," she said before opening her bag and searching for her purse.
The shopkeeper couldn't help but stare at the fact that her whole arm had disappeared into the bag before shaking her head and ringing up the items. "That will be one galleon and eleven sickles."
Giving a guff when the search for her money bag appeared futile, Hermione removed her arm and pulled out her wand. "Accio money bag."
There was a bit of a jiggle before the bag soared out and landed in her hand. Pulling out the necessary amount of coins, Hermione handed them over to the woman, who then handed her the jars. She placed a cushioning charm on them before putting them in her bag.
"Thank you, ma'am." She said, before turning back to Severus. "So I'll see you tonight?"
"You shall," he replied with a small smile, standing aside so she could move past him towards the door.
Hermione returned the smile with one of her own before ducking out the door. The sound of the doorbell ringing behind her. It wasn't until she was sure that she was out of clear view of the Apothecary that she mentally cursed herself for her previous rambling back in the shop.
'Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.' She repeated to herself as she continued down the alley. Deciding to put the thought behind her, Hermione looked at her watch and realised she still had two hours, so she headed to Flourish and Blotts.
Greeting the owner, Hermione then walked further into the book store, right to the back where the 'Defence Against the Dark Arts' section was located. Having grabbed a couple of books, she quickly paid for them, before exiting the store and making her way down to Madam Malkin's.
"Miss Granger, what a lovely surprise!" The squat witch greeted, smiling up at Hermione as she entered the boutique, "And how can I help you today?"
"I have a date tonight," Hermione answered, "And was told to come casual. Though by wizarding standards I'm not exactly sure what that implies, so I was wondering if you could help me."
"Well, you are not the first to ask, dear." She smiled as she led her to one of the private dressing areas. "In fact, about twenty years ago, I had a red haired woman asking the exact same thing. Though it was to my mother. I was just a youngster then, home from my fifth year at Beauxbatons."
"I was thinking maybe pants with a nice blouse," said Hermione as she looked at reflection in the full length mirror, "I only have jeans at home, and I don't know if that's good enough, you know. And we are getting married, so I figured I might as well make a good impression."
The blonde nodded her head. "What about a knee length skirt with some leggings under them? That way if you're walking the legs won't rub together. I know I don't like wearing skirts because my upper legs rub together and then they're sore."
"That sounds nice," she considered, "Maybe something soft for the skirt? And maybe some lace for the hems of the leggings."
"Hmm. Alright. Now just hold your arms out for a moment, dear." Waving her wand around in a circle, Madam Malkins then pointed it at Hermione; a soft green fabric shot out of the tip and wrapped around her waist until it formed a skirt. The jeans she was wearing appeared folded on a stool to the side.
Lowering her hand to touch the material, Hermione turned to her side to view herself in the mirror, and immediately liked how the skirt accentuated her waist. "I like this. Maybe a darker green..."
With another wave the colour deepened. "That looks lovely."
"I'm definitely take this," Hermione nodded, "But I still think it's a bit too... not casual."
"Well in that case, we can set you up with a material that is similar to denim in it's durability and look, but the feel of it is more similar to silk. Maybe some knee length Capri's?"
At her nod, the elder witch waved her wand again, sending the skirt and matching leggings into a bag on the counter before repeating the same motions as to when she made the skirt.
Her hands flew to her mouth as the garments appeared on her. The knee length Capri's, which did feel like silk to her, where a deep emerald green. The button up blouse with short sleeves was in a metallic silver.
"This is fantastic!"
So, what did you think? I'm sorry that it's not very long, but I promise that the next chapter will be longer! What do you think their first date should be? In chapter twelve I'm having her reveal how the meeting with McGonnagall goes. I was wondering if you think she would do better as a Transfiguration, Charms, or DADA professor.