-=Thank you JKR for letting us besotted fools, amuse ourselves and each other.=-

Giving Hermione the Mickey

What the Evening Brings

*~*~*~*

Snape held his glass up in a salute. "Over the years I've been forced to listen to a great number of speeches but yours was by far the best."

Hermione giggled, "I don't think McGonagall was too pleased." Snape dismissed her concern. "Which part did you like best?"

"I liked the whole thing..." Still not believing it. He recited from memory. "Hogwarts Students and Staff. I have received a very fine bottle of cognac, I'm off now. Cheers!" Snape's face was red from the issuing laughter. "Minerva probably thinks you'd already had your fill the way you skipped down the main isle."

Modestly Hermione shrugged, "I took a leaf from Professor Dumbledore's book. Make it short and sweet."

"Short and Sweet." Severus said slowly and lamely. "Definitely short and sweet." Snapping to, "So how long will it be before you start University?"

"Not long, term doesn't officially start until September I'm going to need time to settle in. It's going to be nice to get away." Her words mingled dreamily.

"Your parents don't mind you moving to the States?" Snape fingered his glass.

Sipping from her glass, "yeah. They mind alright. They haven't quite got over the whole Australia thing yet. Can't say I blame them. But the Witches' University has great offerings and maybe it'll give me some time and space."

"Here's to great offerings at the Salem's Witch University." Just then Snape couldn't applaud time and space.

"Mum and Dad shouldn't be too furious, I do plan on coming back permanently." Depositing her empty glass on the sideboard next to Severus', she grabbed her beaded handbag. "I'm ready."

"You're not going to say good-bye to anyone?" Snape quizzed.

"No, if they're my friends then they'll forgive me." Snape privately thought that this was her way of driving a wedge between her old life and the new one.

The balmy night air caught Hermione by surprise. "Can we take a pony trap instead of the usual carriage? It's so nice out tonight." Looking at her watch. "There's plenty of time before the train arrives."

Snape rolled his eyes. "As you wish." They strolled leisurely to the carriage shed. The stable elf hopped into action when Snape relayed the lady's request. Giving her a hand she stepped up into the tiny trap. Taking the reigns, Snape thanked the elf and climbed up. The Thestral snorted and shuffled in the darkness.

Hermione cozied up to Severus on the ride down to the village. All of her attention was focused on him. She knew he pitied her. He's not at fault, it was your own doing. You little fool. Better ask for some common sense for Boxing Day. How could she let go of everything he'd done for her. The care he showed for her meant so much. Hermione was glad Snape had taken pity on her. Would it be possible for him see past the pity, for her own sake. Care about her beyond her tragic experience. Could he ever? Would she just be the bushy-headed know-it-all forever? Hermione sighed hopelessly, but said nothing.

Resting her hand on Severus' thigh, Snape shivered and cringed. Thinking sourly, a man isn't suppose to have that sort of reaction to a lady's hand on his leg. "Ms. Granger you're coming very close to landing a detention." They bumped to a stop at the station.

Laughing pleasantly she gave his thigh a squeeze. "Severus, you can't give me a detention."

Her words sobered him up. "Uh, yes. Right you are." Hesitating, "you shouldn't do that, you know."

"Look me in the eyes and repeat that." Hermione met his gaze, promptly falling into that glittering field.

"Ms. Granger, I'll admit that I'm, far too flattered." Snape was ready to talk himself into an excellent treatise. Hermione effectively ended that kissing him and curling up in his lap.

Even without noticing the 'forward thinker' in Snape's trousers, she was very aroused. She felt terrible about abusing his pity, but her conscience was out-voted.

Resolve slipping Snape gave in to petting the sweet girl in his lap. In his lap, Merlin no. No, stop right now. This minute I say. "Please, no. Please Ms. Granger, have pity on me. I don't want to hate myself later." Snape hoped she realized that he was begging.

Snape was breathless in the face of his decision. Studying him quickly, Hermione knew what he meant. Climbing off his lap with dignity, she prepared to step down from the carriage. Snape stepped ahead of Hermione so he could lower the step. Five minutes to go. They hustled over to the platform. "Severus I'll be back in a couple of years, for good. Will you wait for me?"

Severus, for his part was stunned beyond comprehension. "Wait for you?" He asked incredulously. Shaking his head disbelievingly, "I'm not going anywhere." Smoothing her hair. "I'm not going anywhere." Embracing, standing on the platform both pinned their hopes on one another.

The train boiled into the station, more people were disembarking than boarding. Their parting was silent, but tender.

Kilometres between them, their heralds of love poured out and joined in the darkness.

The End

A.N./Thank you all, you have been a marvellous audience and I appreciate your kind attention and encouragement. I hope you have enjoyed Giving Hermione the Mickey. And I hope I did the characters justice, as they are such wonderful legacies from Ms. Rowling.