Thank you so much for your reviews! I love you all! I'm so excited to know you are still interested in knowing what'll happen next... Well… the following is a little surprise to show my sincere gratitude! =)
Thanks TMNinjaGinga for being my beta!
All characters belong to the brilliant J. K. Rowling.
Chapter Eleven - ... and the Scandal
The unexpected run-in with the reporters turned Hermione's world up-side-down.
It was not, however, because the prospect of her "unprofessional relationship" with her client would soon become widespread gossip around the country; nor was it because someone in the Ministry was spying on her personal travel plans and had leaked the information to Rita Skeeter. Hermione's heart only dropped to her stomach when she realized Severus was no longer in his flat the following morning.
After not seeing him come to meet her for breakfast as he had always done in the past few weeks, she had stood in the hallway knocking on his door for over ten minutes. No one answered. She tried to floo him at his flat, but he wasn't there. Just as she was beginning to worry, a large gray owl pecked on her window pane and delivered her a note from her missing client.
"Rest assured, Miss Granger." The note read, "I have no intention to damage your credit, although I also do not see it necessary to stay in the temporary flat. I have certain obligations to attend to today, and will not be available to assist you any further with unnecessary work in preparation for tomorrow's trial. Owl me the time you want to meet in the morning and I will see you at the Ministry."
She didn't cry when he refused her help when she first picked up the case. She didn't cry when the reporters made groundless accusation in front of her apartment building. But she broke down when she saw the note.
She cried because of two simple words in front of her: Miss Granger. That was what he had called her the night before when he left. And now, somehow it seemed, they had gone back to that formal working relationship, permanently. What happened to a simple "Hermione"? What happened to her Severus? Or perhaps, as she wiped away her tears and choked back a sob she thought, he was never going to be hers.
Hermione and Severus entered the Ministry Atrium early the following morning. It was going to be at least another couple of hours before most of the Ministry employees would begin to arrive at work. Severus thought Hermione wanted to arrive early because she didn't want to be seen with him by others, so he didn't question her plans when she requested that they start the day early.
Knowing the speed of the Daily Prophet reporters, Severus was slightly surprised when he didn't see an article about their "love affair" in the paper the day before. He had wondered what Skeeter's story would focus on. Would it be Hermione's "inappropriate relationship" with a client, or his history of having "inappropriate relationship" with a student? But Rita Skeeter's story was really the last thing that could bother Severus. In fact, he couldn't care less about what Skeeter and her crew would say. What brought a tight knot to his brows this early morning was Hermione's reaction to the reporters' accusations and the painful decision he had made in the previous day.
He had thought Jonathan Granger had given him the answers he was hoping for. He had hoped he would have a chance to come clean to her about their secret communications in the past few years, and would be given a chance to start something special with her. Knowing Hermione, he knew the chance of her eventually forgiving him was not impossible. But when he saw how upset she had become when the paparazzi falsely assumed their relationship, he realized what it would mean to her if they did go down that road and have a real "affair". It had become very clear to him that any relationship between them would always provoke mockery and make her a target of ridicule.
Public opinion would mean nothing to Severus. He had long ago become immune to any form of verbal attack. But that didn't mean he had forgotten the feeling of being hated by the world around him. He had promised her father to never hurt her. Keeping that promise also meant he would not let her suffer because of him.
Thinking the best way to protect her from the torment was to keep himself away from her, Severus had avoided talking to her the entire day following their run-in with the reporters, and decided to give up on his hope for furthering their relationship. After making up his mind, he hardened his heart and left his flat early the previous morning. He moved all of his belongings back to Spinner's End, went to visit his mother's grave, and spent the night preparing for a lengthy stay at the least pleasant place on earth. Less than eight hours later, he found himself walking quietly by her side. The light scent of her hair reminded him of their brief conversation in her mother's rose garden. He simply didn't know how he could ever forget her.
Hermione was walking by the wizard's side, completely unaware of the internal turmoil he was going through. She had owled him to meet her at the Ministry early in the morning, hoping she would at least get to spend a few more hours with him. She had missed him terribly, although they had only separated the day before. After crying for hours with his note in her hand the previous morning, Hermione sat in her study for a long time, trying desperately to clear her mind. After spending the past few weeks with Severus, Hermione knew in her gut that she had finally found the one man that would be right for her. And there was no way she would give him up so easily.
A brown owl flew passed them and dropped a rolled up Daily Prophet into Hermione's hands as they walked down the hallway towards Hermione's office.
"Wait up Hermione!" Just as she was about to open the paper, they heard a familiar yelp from behind.
It looked as if Ron Weasley had just finished a marathon. The young wizard was huffing and puffing as he finally caught up with them. "Wait up... That bloody owl… so hard to catch…" Before he could catch his breath he snatched the paper out of Hermione's hand.
"Hey! What are you doing Ron?" Hermione asked surprisingly. "And what are you doing here so early? Give me back my paper."
"You have better things to worry about." Ron slowly straightened up and tucked the paper in his robe. He regarded Severus with a gulp. "Professor Snape." He dipped his head politely, obviously still nervous in front of his former professor.
"What do you mean? Worry about what?" Hermione frowned.
"I came in early to let you know Harry and I won't be able to come to the trial this morning. We were called late last night by the Department head to an urgent case in Wales."
"But Harry is one of the most important witnesses I've got!" Hermione felt a slight panic in her chest.
"We know... we know." Ron rested his hands on Hermione's shoulders, trying to calm the young witch down. Giving their surrounding a quick look, he began in a low voice, "Harry and I didn't want to wake you up in the middle of the night because we want you to get some rest for today. But we stayed up and worked out a plan. Harry left last night and went to visit the crime scene. He is writing down notes and things that we will need to follow up, like people we will need to interview and evidence we need to bring back and things like that. I am coming here early to warn you so that, if you can change the order or your witnesses, you can push him towards the end. Our plan is we will pretend there is some emergency with his fiancé, so that he can come straight back here and be your witness, while I take over whatever he has started. We have all our grounds covered. Ginny is staying home from work, pretending to be sick. Harry is actually expecting me now so I'd better get going. He will be here, but just going to be a little late." He looked over at Severus, slightly awkwardly, and said, "Er… Professor... good luck!"
Severus gave the young wizard an approving curt nod, and watched Ron turn away slowly.
"Wait a minute," Hermione called after Ron, "That doesn't explain why I can't read the paper." Quickly she snatched the paper out of Ron's robe and she smiled warmly at her best friend, "I know what you are trying to hide from me. But don't you think at least I should know what they are calling me?"
"Well listen," Ron shifted his feet uncomfortably, "I just don't want you to be upset. We all know that Skeeter witch is lying in broad daylight, and none of us believe a word of it. If it means anything to you, even mum called her a liar and threw the paper in the fireplace."
"It's not a big deal." Hermione took a small step forward and hugged her best friend gently and said, "I just want to know what's written in the paper. And thanks for coming to warn us."
Ron shook his head in defeat and returned her hug, "I still remember how upset you got when she wrote about you and Harry. I just don't want you to get hurt. Be careful alright?"
The young wizard quickly left and disappeared at the end of the Atrium, leaving Hermione and Severus to continue their way to her office. Once they got there, she unrolled the paper and stared at the front page. Right in front of her, was the picture of Severus holding her protectively in his arms. She was lost momentarily in the memory of the night before.
"Perhaps you should consider your friend's advice." Suddenly there came Severus' smooth voice.
"Huh?" Hermione looked up wide-eyed, "What was that?"
Severus rolled his eyes and reached for the paper, "Why let her bother you with a load of bullock. She could get nasty while calling names. Words can be hurtful. Why let it get to you if you can help it?"
Holding the paper closer to her she took a step away from him. "You really think I would be upset about what she writes about me?" She asked quietly.
"It's only an educated guess." He shrugged, "based on your reaction the other night, you won't like what she will say about you having… something… to do with me."
She blinked a few times at him and set the paper down next to her on the desk. Slowly she walked up to him and said, in a quiet voice almost like a whisper, "I couldn't care less what she says Severus. In fact, I wish all of their accusations the other night were true."
"What?" Severus inhaled sharply and asked in disbelief. "What are you talking about? You wanted it to be true? You wanted… us… to be true?"
"Yes… I do. I wish… that could be true." Hermione dropped her head and said. A moment later she looked up at Severus, with tears glistened in her soft brown eyes, "Severus, I wish we could get to know each other sooner, and had started our friendship sooner. I… I think... I love you. And I… I think you are not really that revolted by me as you are so desperately trying to pretend." She broke into a small smile, and wiped away a stray tear. "I wish you wouldn't push me away."
Severus swallowed. He was speechless. She had just offered him something he could only dream of. But then, he suddenly remembered all the opportunities he had missed to make his confession.
It was as if Hermione read his mind. She spoke again before he could find his voice, "Whatever you were going to tell me the other night will not matter. I still feel the same about you. I know how many secrets you had to keep and how many regrettable things you had to do as a Death Eater. None of that bothers me. When this is all over we can sit down and talk about it. But now," She took hold of his left hand, "If I didn't just make a complete fool of myself, if you feel anything that remotely mirrors my sentiment, please… let's just spend a little more time together. If the trial does turn out the way you predicted, I couldn't live with the knowledge of you being locked away in Azkaban without knowing how I feel..."
He didn't need to hear another word.
Before Hermione could finish her sentence, she found herself wrapped tightly in his strong arms. She rested her head on his chest. She could hear his racing heartbeat and the warmth of his body. Taking in the fresh scent of his coat, Hermione broke into a teary smile. "We could have been doing this all day yesterday you know, with a pot of tea in my living room."
A long moment later he said quietly, "What a dunderhead I've been… I'm so sorry… Wait for me Hermione. We will have our time again. I rather like the way you make your tea."
When she broke away from his embrace she looked up bashfully, and found his dark eyes gently gazing upon her. She had never seen him this way, and had never found him more handsome than this moment. Slowly she rose on her tiptoes and reached for him. He lowered his head to meet her lips. His soft and warm lips brushed against hers, sending a string of sparks down her spine. This must be what the sparks of love feel like. She thought to herself as she reached up for his shoulders and pulled him deeper into the kiss.
When they finally broke apart they found themselves panting for air. Severus broke into a quiet laugh and shook his head, "I can't believe this… I'm getting too old for this kind of drama."
"There is no drama Severus." She looked up at him with a shy smile. "I think this is what love feels like."
"Maybe… well, that too. I'm a bit old for that, don't you think?"
"Too old? For love?" Hermione arched her eyebrow, "Says who?" She nudged him gently in the side.
"Says that Skeeter woman." He pointed at the paper on the desk.
Hermione took a thoughtful look at the paper and back to Severus. "Come read it with me." She pulled him with her by the hand, "We need to know this."
"What do you want to know from reading a bunch of lies? You just said you couldn't care less what she says." Severus grunted.
"Don't you understand?" Spreading the paper across her desk she answered, "I need to know what they were trying to get at by ambushing us that night. Someone had tipped them off about our traveling plans. If she wrote for the people behind all this, we should be able to at least get some sense about how they plan on attacking you today in court." She looked up at him and said, "I don't want our trip to become something they can use to damage your credibility." Letting out a deep sigh she continued, "I was beyond angry the other night when I realized by helping me, you had risked so much. I'd be so sorry if they use it against you."
"That was why you were upset?" His eyes widened.
"Of course! Why do you think I was so mad?" It's her turn to sound surprised, "You can't seriously think I would be upset because people think of us as an item?" Shaking her head slightly she mumbled a "dunderhead" before turning her attention back to the front page of the paper, but not before letting a smile escape the corner of her lips.
"Wow." A few minutes later she declared sarcastically.
"Indeed!" He sneered at the paper. "Even a veela could not be as accomplished as you, Hermione. Let's see… Potter, pretty much all of the Weasley men, Malfoy, Krum, Black, Lupin, Shacklebolt, and now me. You sound quite a… witch."
"Witch? How polite of you. She is practically calling me a slut. Or should whore be a better word to summarize these kinds of accomplishments." Hermione frowned at the paper.
"Language Miss Granger, language." He sighed quietly.
"But did you notice it's all about me and not much about you?" Her brows were twisted into a knot when she looked up at him. "You'd think it would be more effective to target the accused than the legal defense on the day of the trial."
"Very interesting indeed." He answered thoughtfully. "You must be prepared for what's to come at the court. It could be rather humiliating."
"I don't care." She smiled bravely at him. "We both know the truth. People can say whatever they want."
"That Skeeter woman's poisonous quill didn't ruin your appetite?" He arched an eyebrow at her.
A small growl in her stomach practically answered his question. "I guess not." She blushed as she covered her stomach quickly with a hand. "Either the story or you just brought out my appetite. Let's go get some breakfast. I could barely eat last night without knowing where you'd been."
"I shall hope it's the presence of me that brought back your appetite." He gave her a small smile. "As an apology for my absence last night, allow me to take you out for a decent breakfast."
She had never felt so right as she walked next to him out of the Ministry.
People had started to arrive at work by the time Severus and Hermione returned to the Ministry. Right after they turned the corner in the hallway towards her office, Hermione spotted a familiar blond wizard peeking through each office door, as if looking for someone.
"Draco!" She called after the young wizard, not able to help the excitement in her voice. "I'm so glad you came! You and your parents are the only ones who didn't confirm your appearance today."
"Granger." Draco Malfoy acknowledged Hermione in a low voice before turning to face his former head of house. "Severus, father sent me looking for you. He needs to talk to you, right now. And Granger," He turned back towards Hermione, but didn't look up to meet her eyes, "We can't be your witness. Mother doesn't think it's a good idea for us to attract any public attention right now. It hasn't been very long since the war…"
"It's been over two bloody years!" Hermione felt anger begin to boil. "How could you…"
"That is not necessary." Severus put a hand on Hermione's shoulder and stopped her from lashing out at Draco. "It's certainly understandable Draco. Tell your father to come to Miss Granger's office. We can talk here."
The blond haired wizard didn't miss a beat and disappeared into the hallway.
"They are cowards!" Hermione hissed angrily as they returned to her office. "Why are they not willing to help after all you've done for Draco and for us all?"
"No." Severus shook his head, "Don't blame them. They are only being cautious. Only the courageous Gryffindors run around town pretending everything is back to perfect after the Dark Lord's defeat. It's not so simple Hermione. You may be surprised by what Lucius has to share with us."
They didn't have to wait long before Draco returned with Lucius Malfoy. The older Malfoy had somehow lost a bit of the almost regal attitude in his movement. The wrinkles around his eyes and the reduced volume of his bleach blond hair had begun to show his age. But when he glared at Hermione, she noticed he was still as arrogant as ever.
"Severus," He began, but he stopped as he frowned at Hermione. "I need to speak with you in private." He said.
"That's why I told Draco to bring you here." Severus replied coolly, "We are in private."
"What about her?" Lucius spat. "Don't tell me you expect me to believe a single word in Skeeter's story. She's not your mistress Severus. I don't think this concerns her."
"She is fine." Severus answered calmly. "She's my legal defense." He ignored the surprised expression on Lucius' face and continued, "You can trust her. I do."
"Trust?" Lucius' eyes widened. A moment later he sighed, "How little do I know you Severus?" He shook his head briefly before turning to his son, "Draco, guard the door outside. We don't want any interruptions."
Draco gave Hermione a curious glance and hurried out the door.
"Muffliato." Lucius pointed his wand at the door before turning back to face Severus and Hermione. "Listen Severus, we can't help you from the witness stand. You and I both know," he glanced over at Hermione, as if wondering her ability to understand his words, "this is beyond a trial. I did however look into it. They brought in a lawyer from America to make the case against you. Kurt Myles is his name. We are acquainted through some joint venture business in Germany years ago. He is a very experienced lawyer, never lost a case. That's probably why they hired him."
"Who are they?" Hermione couldn't help voicing her question.
Sending her a cold glance Lucius completely ignored her. "But you don't need to worry about him Severus, for he's merely a hired gun, granted, a good one. I pulled a few strings and met with him this morning. Because of some shared interest in an investment, he agreed to spare you from a Dementor's kiss. He agreed he wouldn't even recommend that sentence to the Wizengamot, as long as you agree to meet with him ahead of the trial. He doesn't like to be surprised you see, and he's already done all his homework. It's all a show and he likes to have everything rehearsed. You need to listen to me this time Severus. Go meet with him in his temporary office at the Department of International Relations. Follow his lead, and at least it will make it easier for everyone."
"Who's everyone?" Hermione couldn't believe what she's hearing. "Who's behind all this and why should Severus follow his lead?"
"When will you start teaching your students proper manners Severus?" Lucius spat through clenched teeth.
"She has a valid point, Lucius." Severus answered calmly, but his dark eyes had never been more intimidating. "Why should I listen to you?"
Lucius regarded the dark-haired wizard for a long moment before answering, "I don't know Severus. I honestly wouldn't trust another soul if I were you. The only reason I spend the past few weeks trying to get through to Myles, was to repay a life debt that Narcissa and I owe you, although I believe the terms of the indebtedness were never properly negotiated. Narcissa was foolish to go to you for help without consulting with me first. But I acknowledge that by fulfilling the unbreakable vow, you were the reason why the Dark Lord didn't consider Draco the obstacle between him and the Elder Wand. And I suppose that is why I should be grateful. I'm not asking you to trust me Snape, but consider this our one and only offer for the repayment. Take it or leave it. It's up to you."
Without waiting for a reply the blond-haired wizard waved his hand haphazardly and removed the spell he cast around the door, and left without a sound.
After a long moment of silence Hermione came to Severus side, "You can't honestly believe him, Severus. He's with that Skeeter woman."
Shaking his head thoughtfully Severus said, "Not likely. Skeeter is an opportunist. The Malfoys have lost their influence. I think we should pay Mr. Myles a visit."
Love to know what you think of the political agenda so far. Interested in knowing what'll happen in court? Coming up... the meeting with a foreign attorney and the trial of Severus Snape. =)