Beware….
BARRELS!
Sorry . I've been watching WAY too many Pewdiepie videos on Youtube lately and I can't stop watching him. He's hilarious and he always makes me happy on a bad day (like today – I dropped my phone in a cup of water :( ) But Pewds makes every day great! :D
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This chapter will be longer due to the long wait! Again, I apologize. I really do try to update once a week but life gets in the way sometimes. I really do want to try the best I can to keep updating but life is hectic right now. Thank you guys for understanding. ;)
Start of the school year! :D LET'S DO THIS!
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Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters. They are property of JKR. If I did, however, Snape would not have died.
Wise men and women are always learning;
always listening for fresh insights.
Proverbs 18:15, The Message Translation
"Severus…"
His named passed through her lips before she could even stop herself. She hadn't meant for it to come out but it did.
His back visibly straightened at the sound of his name and she instantly regretted saying it.
She didn't expect to see this man again tonight, although a part of her had hoped that she wouldn't see him. She half-expected him to be locked away in his damp, gloomy dungeon and that he would stay there until tomorrow, when he would reappear in a cloud of depression and malevolence. She hadn't anticipated seeing him again – especially if he were waiting for her, like he was right now.
His dark, obsidian eyes burned into hers and she found that she could not look away. Why was he standing here? He was waiting for her, she knew that much. But why? He had already made it very, very clear that he did not want to speak to her. Did he feel guilty?
Probably not, Hermione made up in her mind. Slytherins have their precious pride to worry about…
The silenced between them strained for a moment until the situation became quite awkward that it was almost tangible in the air. The witch fought against the side of her that was still offended with him. She had already disturbed their seemingly growing friendship (or whatever the bloody hell it was, she hadn't the foggiest idea) and she did not want to do any more damage.
"Are you going to attack me?"
Hermione took a step backwards, startled by his statement.
"I-I beg your pardon?" she asked, now slightly alarmed.
"Your wand…" he stated, his tone deadpanning as always. Severus' dark, black eyes fastened on her hand, which was still tightly gripping her wand in her tiny fist.
The witch's eyes flashed down to her hand. She mentally hit her forehead. How could she forget that she was holding her wand? And not only holding her wand, but pointing it directly at the man that she had very-well hoped to avoid! Inwardly groaning at her brief moment of stupor, she would berate herself for her senselessness later.
"The idea is tempting, believe me," she spoke dryly as she replaced her wand into her sleeve once more.
"Hn."
Hermione folded her arms under her breasts. While she wasn't exactly as angry at him, she could still say that her feelings were still just as hurt as they were before. Her intentions were good and she was just trying to be his friend and he mercilessly shot her down without hesitation. What more did he have to say? Wasn't it already clear that he couldn't stand her presence?
Then again, if that was the case… Why was he standing here, waiting for her?
She interrupted the silence by clearing her throat.
"Is there something you need, Professor Snape?"
Hermione almost missed it, but not quite – the way that the stone-faced professor furrowed his eyebrows at her referring to him by his practiced title. She briefly wondered why. It wasn't as if she were purposefully trying to come across as being disrespectful or unforgiving in any way. She simply stated his title, as normal colleagues would.
…Okay, perhaps she was being a little bitter.
"I do not need anything," Severus replied rather indignantly, recovering quickly as she had imagined he would. "I merely wished to…"
He paused.
At this momentary second of reluctance, Hermione could actually feel her interest perking up. There was a rare case whatsoever when the dignified and strategic Severus Snape would hesitate in saying whatever it was he wanted to say. He was never a man that held back words, especially if they were of his own opinion. However cruel or harsh as they would be, he would say them at any time he pleased and wouldn't lose a minute of sleep at night.
Whatever he wanted to say at this moment, however, it was refusing to pass through his lips.
After what seemed like another unbearable eternity of awkward silence, he straightened his back and he too, cleared his throat.
"Earlier today, I did not respond as professionally as I should have," he said at last, his dark eyes never leaving hers. She thought for a moment that they would burn into hers. "You have performed a service to me in bringing me my supplies for my class and I did not reciprocate as professionally as is required of me." He shifted his feet slightly. "But if I may speak my defense-?"
Hermione stopped him right there. "You don't have to."
"On the contrary," Severus raised an eyebrow. "I do. I acted irrationally-,"
"As did I," the witch interrupted again.
This time, however, the wizard remained silent and inclined his head, motioning that he didn't understand her intervening his apology.
"You were busy and I invaded your personal space. It wasn't right of me to do so. I was under an assumption that because we were colleagues that it was okay for me to visit you as I pleased. I should have respected your boundaries and asked you of your opinion and say-so before entering your classroom. I take full responsibility and I promise that it won't happen again."
The wizard raised his other eyebrow in response and for a moment, he looked almost surprised. "A Gryffindor respecting a Slytherin's privacy? What is this world coming to?" He glanced up at the sky and his eyes searched the clouds above. "Is it going to snow tonight?"
Hermione's jaw dropped at his comment.
"Is- Is that a joke?" she exclaimed in disbelief. The witch gazed at the man standing before her and she could not help the feeling of awe and admiration that were rising in her chest.
He had cracked a joke.
Severus Snape – the Bat of the Dungeons, the Terrifying Potions Master, the Vampire of Hogwarts, the Dirty Greasy Git – actually opened his mouth and cracked a joke. A joke that she had used previously, but it was still a joke! Who would have thought that the miserable bloke was even capable of doing such a thing!
The wizard looked at her once again. The corner of his lips tugged in a minute smirk.
"It was."
Hermione couldn't help but smile at the Potions Master, who in turn, gave her a peculiar look. His eyes glanced down at her smiling lips and he scowled.
"Stop that," he hissed, but it was in a careful light tone to show that he was not quite annoyed with her.
"Sorry," Hermione shook her head. "It's just… Odd to see you pulling crack jokes out of thin air."
The wizard's eyebrows furrowed.
"I tend to pull things out of thin air as I am a wizard," he reminded her. "As a witch, you should be more observant, Hermione."
Hermione's smile grew. He called her by her first name. Which must mean…
"So… Are we alright, now?" She couldn't help but ask. She had to know.
"I'd like to think so," he told her. "I am not overly fond of having resentment between a colleague and myself before the start of a semester. While I am not particularly cautious of everything I say to every single person, an offense tends to get in the way of partnership and concentration. It's not practical to hold onto such petty things."
While their disagreement was far from petty in Hermione's opinion, she couldn't help but agree with Severus' logic. They couldn't let things like simple arguments eat away at them (or at least, her) for the day. It simply couldn't do for her as a teacher and especially not between two Hogwarts professors. They had students and a staff on the line that they had to look out for.
"The majority of the problem was my fault," the wizard admitted although his tone was still as haughty and graced as ever, not at all humbled – but Hermione hadn't expected otherwise, anyway. "Perhaps there is a way I can make up for my transgressions?"
The witch blinked multiple times, her brain trying to process what the man before her was saying.
"You… You don't need to 'make up' for anything, Severus," she told him, finally using his first name. "It was a fault on both our parts. We already apologized. Isn't that enough?"
"For your conscience perhaps. Not mine."
"You have a conscience?" she teased.
"On occasion."
"I told you that it was fine."
"I am well aware that you believe that it is 'fine'. But that does not concern me. Tell me if there is something that I can do to assist you in any way and I will see what I can do to aid you."
Hermione resisted the urge to pinch herself.
Since when did Severus Snape wait on anyone and then give them a formal apology?
Severus turned his back to her and opened the large mahogany doors before her. He stood aside and held an arm open to her. "Hurry up, witch," he growled under his breath, obviously not used to waiting on others. "Or shall I lock you out for the night?"
Hermione smiled and walked inside.
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me." He murmured as he closed and whispered a chant to seal the doors. "My reputation-,"
"Believe me, Severus, there is no power in Merlin's wand that could ever change your reputation."
"Indeed," he huffed.
"I meant what I said before. You don't need to try to make up for-,"
"Try to change my mind again, witch, and I will hex you where you stand."
She laughed. "Pig-headed arse."
"Insufferable woman."
"Yep."
As she and Severus roamed the halls in silence towards her private quarters, Hermione pondered on the Potions Master walking beside her.
She wondered what made him turn such a sharp corner. He was a stubborn man, even more stubborn than her. She couldn't blame that he was Slytherin, but it had nothing to do with him being Slytherin. The title of Slytherin is just a title and nothing more. Severus wasn't like other Slytherins and he had just proved himself to her tonight.
He had expressed regret, even if not to the degree of what most people would.
He had apologized before a few months back for his actions in the infirmary five years ago, when he had yelled and shouted at her, scaring her witless. But this time, he took the blame yet again for something that was both their fault and he did not wait for the following morning to give her an apology. The very thought of it was… humbling to Hermione.
As they stood at the entrance of her quarters, they turned to face one another. Hermione tilted her head back to look at him and couldn't help the smile that spread on her lips.
He was changing, slowly but surely. She didn't understand how, or why, but he was changing and that's all she knew.
"Thank you, Severus."
"For walking you to your quarters?" he asked, his eyes peeking up from behind his dark curtains he called 'hair'.
"For apologizing."
Severus looked slightly puzzled before rolling his eyes. "You Gryffindors and your senseless apologies make absolutely no sense whatsoever to me."
Hermione laughed at this comment. "It has nothing to do with being a Gryffindor," she told him. "It's a part of who I am. And I'm thanking you for humbling yourself and-,"
"I did no such thing," he cut her off, his tone low and indignant. Not to mention that he appeared to be quite offended. "I was doing what my conscience required of me."
"Whatever you say, Severus."
"That's right, witch. Whatever I say."
Hermione shook her head, amused by his inflexibility. "Good night, Severus."
She whispered her German proverb and turned towards the door to enter her room. She stopped short when his hand came once more into view.
His pale, spidery fingers touched her hand and she felt herself freeze where she stood. His fingers rested on her cool hand, sending a shiver of pleasure and warmth up her arm and down her spine.
There had been very few times that he had ever touched her and she could count them from memory. He had held her back in her third year, blocking her with his body from Remus when his werewolf form had taken over his body. He had touched her shoulder and occasionally her arm in perhaps an attempt to get her attention or steady her. She had touched him casually before, as she would a friend, but it was she that had initiated most of the contact - he had rarely touched her.
She mentally calculated a total of six or seven times he had touched her and for all of his reasons for touching her he had some valid, logical explanation for doing so.
This, however, was totally new. Once his skin came into contact with hers, it was as if a new type of heat spread all throughout her body, warming her to her very toes.
When she could finally look at him, she found him much closer than before. He was looking into her eyes and she almost felt as if that he were trying to get into her head. His eyes were penetrating into hers and she inwardly cursed as her cheeks flushed at his proximity to her face.
"Hermione," he said her name at last, his tone softer than it had ever been and it made her heart pound noisily in her ears. "If there is anything you require, you will let me know, will you not?"
The Gryffindor fought against the urge to swallow. Why was he so close to her? Why was he touching her hand? Why was her heart beating so fast? Her head almost started spinning when her brain rattled for a logical explanation for his actions. This was so unusual, so unlike him…
So… Different.
Instead of trusting herself to speak, she found herself nodding.
With that being said, his hand left hers and he had taken the warmth with him. He had spun around and left her, his black cloak flowing behind him as he strutted down the corridor. The shocked and somewhat flushed witch watched him until he vanished around a corner and out of her sight.
Hermione stood there for what seemed like hours, lost in a battle in her mind.
What was that? She thought to herself. What was that? What was he doing?
The questions seemed endless and the confusion was only hurting her head. When at last she entered her quarters, it hit her.
As much as it pained her to admit this word, he actually…. seduced her to agree to him. Hermione found herself staring at the wall as this new information ran around in circles in her mind. Why would he…?
The answer hit her like a hex.
Then, the witch smiled and found herself giggling.
She didn't even notice for at least a minute or two when Crookshanks sauntered up to her, his drooped eyes staring up at her with idle curiosity.
"He seduced me!" she told her cat, although she knew very well that he couldn't understand a single word that she was saying. She didn't care. It was just too, bloody funny!
"He knew that bullying and extortion and yelling wouldn't work with me! He knew that so he seduced me instead until I gave him the answer that he wanted!"
Hermione laughed long and hard until she was bending over and holding her abdomen. It was honestly too amusing to her and she couldn't help but be hysterical about it.
"Severus Snape seduced me!" she laughed over and over again until her sides were beginning to hurt. Even then, it was hard to stop the frenzy of chuckles and glee that escaped her. "Bugger me!"
Her cat was still staring at his owner when her giggles and fit of pointless laugher finally subsided. The witch wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her robe as she regained her breath and sanity back.
"What a crafty, crafty man!" she told Crookshanks with a wide smile. Her eyes even seemed to be sparkling as she spoke. "I can't believe that he's capable of such cunning manipulation!"
"Reow…"
The witch shook her head and straightened her back. "Then again, he is a Slytherin. Whew!" she exhaled a breath as she slipped off her robe. "What a laugh! My sides hurt! I must have needed that laugh!"
She headed to her bedroom, still shaking her head at the fact that rattled around in her mind. Crookshanks followed her at her ankles, staring up at her with his large orbs. He watched her as she shed her clothing and placed them in her wardrobe, folded and neat.
She prepared herself for bed, still giggling every now and then when she brushed her teeth in the loo.
"Who knew?" she asked herself in the mirror, her mouth full of foamy toothpaste. "I know I didn't!"
The Gryffindor was still giggling as she snuggled under her bed comforter and sheets. Even with candlelight and The Hobbit book in her hand, she had trouble focusing reading it.
She had no idea what to think of Severus Snape now. He was still an arse – a big, bloody, miserable arse – but he was somewhat different now. He had attempted so many different things to assist her since she had arrived at Hogwarts to work.
She couldn't understand why. That was probably the difficult part. If she put her mind to it, she knew that she was capable of dissecting and figuring out any problem or situation. However, when it came to Severus, she had to draw a blank over and over again. This man was a hard person to figure out, especially if she didn't know what his motives were for being so polite.
Hermione blew out all her candles simultaneously before reaching for her near-empty chest of Dreamless Sleep vials. She drank half of the last vial before setting it back in its proper slot in the chest. She didn't even think twice about her problems concerning the lack of Dreamless Sleep vials as she tucked herself under the covers. All she knew was that the effects would still be the same but it would take longer for her to fall asleep.
Crookshanks leapt up onto her bed and curled by her in his usual spot and was asleep in less than a minute. The witch set her book on her nightstand and found herself unconsciously staring up at the tapestry that draped over her bed.
Severus hadn't seduced her for impure reasons, obviously, but simply to get her to agree with him. The only question was: why? Why was he going through all this trouble to keep her comfortable - to aid her if she required it? Why was he trying to be so accommodating to her? It was so unlike him. As far back as she knew him, he is (or, rather, was) a self-centered being, biased and opinionated.
What had caused this transformation, she wondered?
It was then that Hermione realized something that she would never forget.
People cannot grow if they do not change. Everyone has to change. It's an inevitable part of living. To live life, to try to make the best of it, make mistakes along the way, and learn from them. Such is the way of life, even if one does not like to have failures in their secret ledgers. People have to move forward and grow or they will never mature or learn.
It was silly of her to think that Severus couldn't change. She had her doubts before that it would be impossible for someone like him to change; that he would be stuck a miserable git for the rest of his life, selfish and self-centered until the day he went to the grave.
Severus was changing, slowly but surely. He was still going to be his old self, but little did he know that parts of his bad characteristics were slowly morphing into something new, different, and… kind, perhaps? She didn't know the word for it and pinpointing a word would be difficult.
"Being friendly is good, too, but Severus Snape isn't like everyone else where he would respond positively to outgoingness. He's just one of those blokes that nobody will ever fully understand."
Sorry, Harry, Hermione had thought to herself with a smile that she could not suppress. But I think that you're wrong about him… I think that everyone is wrong about him.
Whatever his motives were for trying hard to be kind – or whatever – to her, she did not know. But all that she knew was that he was changing. He was coming out of the darkness and into the light and if no one else but her could see it, then fine. No one else needed to see, let alone understand, him.
Harry had said before that Severus wasn't used to friendships like she had with all her friends. While she was used to spending lots of good quality time with her friends, sharing and loving one another, he was not.
Harry said once that Severus Snape was used to people taking advantage of him and never having his back. But she was going to try. She would try to be a better friend and colleague to him as he was attempting to do so to her, whatever his reasons may be. She would try to be polite and friendly but not too much. They were taking this odd friendship off to a slow start and it would be best to take it at his pace.
Only, the next time, she would probably send a Patronus to his classroom first to warn him of her arrival before appearing in his doorway uninvited.
After he had escorted Hermione to her quarters, Severus decided to return depths of the Dungeons. Even as he descended the spiral steps, his mind was lost in an abyss of confusion. He had apologized and she had forgiven him. That was that. He did not need to let his mind linger on it any more than he should.
But if it was enough, then why was her image still in the front of his mind? Was it because of the bond, sending these now unbearable sensations throughout his being akin to a tickling hex throughout his body?
The bond itself was not too unbearable, but since he was around Hermione so often, it was as if the bond were having a field day with his body and his emotions. Especially earlier when he had crossed serious boundaries with his former student, and now colleague.
He had touched her hand.
The physical contact in itself was not a crime whatsoever. He merely wanted to convey the message that he wished to be there for her should she require anything and since she would not listen, he had to take a different approach and thus he touched her hand. If he was to work hard to somehow release the bond on its own, then he would do whatever it takes, even if that meant that he would have to humble himself to help the young witch. He could only hope that she would require or need a favor sooner rather than later. However, he failed to consider the fact that Hermione could very well report him for harassment.
At first, he wasn't quite sure if he should feel pleased or sickened by his behavior. Perhaps both. He was not quite sure.
She did not pull away, he told himself. She seemed fine with my proposal. She will call upon me soon.
Severus found himself stopping on the stairs and glancing down at his hands.
He never truly liked his hands. They were too long, pallid and sick-looking. Although they were quick and nimble when it came to working on potions or dueling with his wand, he always found the urge to hide his hands from sight.
He did not do so earlier.
He had touched her and she did not pull away. He didn't touch people often, but even when he so much as approached someone, in most scenarios they would recoil from him. He did not understand why Hermione didn't react in the same way that everyone else had. She looked a bit uncomfortable at first but she didn't pull away or scream at him. In fact, he'd even go as far to say that he could see her blushing at their contact. But he must not get ahead of himself.
The wizard knew that he was not a good person. He had never been an attractive person with good qualities; as so, he never claimed to be a good person or that he made the right choices. Even if he did make a good choice, it was because he had hidden motives for why he made those decisions – his intentions were far from pure. He was, as everyone called him, 'a nasty git'. He knew these nicknames when he was a student and he would never deny it to this day. In time he had come to accept the fact that he was not a people-person, and that he was meant to be alone. He was fine with this. He had come to terms with this a long time ago.
And yet…
What about this Hermione?
Severus shook his head and continued down the steps. He had reached his classroom and closed the door behind him. His feet carried him to his office, where he sat at his desk. He withdrew a piece of parchment and a quill close in his hands, but he did not have the will to write. He found himself staring at the parchment, his mind lost in deep thought – mostly on a certain witch.
Hermione Granger was different. He knew that. He had known that from the first day she had sat in his classroom and kept waving around her arm in the air to answer Potter's questions for him. Sure, she had irked him with her need to be seen and heard, but she was still different. All throughout her years of tomfoolery with Potter and Weasley, he had seen her growing in wisdom to become a great witch. Even when he was bleeding to death she had fought to keep him alive, despite the fact that he was considered one of Hogwarts' greatest enemies.
She had proved herself to be a good witch, who had extended that kindness to everyone she met, despite the fact that she had a quite a bite if you upset her. She had extended friendship to him, despite their rocky past – most of it his fault. If anyone had stepped above and beyond for their partnership to work, it was most definitely her.
He appreciated her, he knew that much. But then….
Why was it, then, that he started to expect Hermione's company? No, not just expect. Did he… Want to spend time with her? Did he actually desire to be in someone else's company?
This was so unlike him. He preferred his own company than the company of others. It was just the way that he was. He could stand Minerva and Pomfrey to a certain extent but he preferred to be alone. He could be in peace, where he did not have to be criticized, or hated, or looked down upon because of his past choices.
Then why Hermione Granger.
The answer struck him on the head like lightening and the familiar tingling at the base of his skull reminded him of why he was even around this witch so often.
"Damn…" he cursed under his breath. "It is this bond! This damned bond has given me nothing but grief."
It has nothing to do with me or Hermione, he decided in his head. It is the bond that is confusing my thoughts and emotions and perhaps even my hormones. Hm…
He dabbed the tip of the quill in ink and drew the parchment close.
Life-Debt Bond Daily Log – August 31
Per usual, tingling in the spine, base of neck and skull are present and ongoing. Subtle changes in emotional and hormonal levels towards opposite participant involved in the bond. Newly odd symptoms in the abdominal and chest regions have been reoccurring when in a short distance of opposite participant. Increased heart rate and sweaty palms are also present. Ongoing for the past few weeks. My temper is more apparent than usual—
He paused before he continued writing.
- no thanks to writing in this stupid goddamn log.
Although he did not like Castor's idea of charting down the daily effects of the bond however they proved to be of great use. He was seeing how the bond was gradually taking more and more of an effect on his body. Now they were affecting his hormones and emotional balances. It was a bizarre notion. In all his research, he hadn't read a single tale of any one of the persons involved in a bond having these sorts of drastic changes.
Was it perhaps because he was losing time? He found himself shaking his head. No, no, he was not losing time. Castor himself said that he had time to do what he needed to do before the bond would start to take its toll on his body. He assumed that it was because of his close contact with Hermione.
These assumptions will not assist me for long, he thought bitterly to himself as he rolled up the parchment and hid it away in his desk. The next time I am to meet with Castor, we will discuss these.
But for now, he needed sleep. Tomorrow he was to rise early to face the Boggart and then to prepare to meet the students.
The Three Broomsticks was quiet at this time in the morning and Hermione was grateful for that. She had dressed in her best Muggle attire that she could find in her closet. Today was a special day for her so she made sure to spend extra time in front of the mirror this morning. She wore dark stockings, accompanied by a knee-high skirt with a frilly blouse. She used a hair potion for her unruly hair – which she only used on rare occasions – so that she could have nice, appealing curls instead.
Her brown eyes scanned the empty place and she was slightly disappointed to see that the person she was looking for was not present. She checked her Muggle wrist watch almost impulsively. While she was well-aware that her boyfriend liked to sleep in, he was at least awake by nine or so nowadays. She hoped that he had not forgotten…
No no. He's just late; she decided quietly as she sat at a secluded table and ordered a tea. He probably slept in, per usual. He'll come. He promised.
She found herself reading a copy of Daily Prophet that was left by a previous customer to pass the time, even though she knew it was loaded with heaps of rubbish. Instead of reading, her mind wandered to the events that she and Ron had planned a week prior. They had both agreed to meet at The Three Broom Sticks and then they could start the day by spending the day being in each others company. They had planned to probably visit Hogsmeade, plan a surprise visit to Hagrid, and have a nice lunch date. They hadn't had a proper date in a while and today was the perfect day to have one.
That, and she was thrilled. Today was the most important day of her life yet! In less than eleven or so hours, she would be sitting at the Great table, eating with some of the people that she had admired the most, and being announced as a new professor. She was exhilarated, and even more so, Ron was going to be there this morning to be a part of one of the greatest days of her career.
That is… She hoped he would.
The witch tried to focus on the positives without looking at her watch. Time seemed to be ticking by as she waited almost impatiently for her ginger boyfriend to appear through the doors any minute now. She glanced up every so often to see if he would come through the doors, but he had not. Guests poured into the popular bar but there was no sign of her boyfriend anywhere.
Hermione's fingers twitched around her mug. She couldn't help her uneasiness. The witch was anxious to meet up with her boyfriend before the craziness of the school year set in. They only had a few precious hours together before she had to head back to Hogwarts to get ready for tonight. Ginny already agreed to meet up with her to help her get ready. She usually didn't do a lot to get ready but Ginny demanded that she helped her pick up a special robe for the occasion and as everyone knows – you don't say no to Ginny.
Perhaps I should send him a Patronus? Hermione pondered before shaking her head. No. If he can't remember a date then why should I waste precious magic trying to send him a reminder?
Time ticked by slowly as a few minutes turned into one hundred and twenty-nine minutes. Three cups of Green tea and a pastry later, the witch was still sitting at her table, alone.
Ongoers walking by made sure to stay clear of the witch who was now emitting waves of anger. Unnamable fury clawed at Hermione's stomach as she clenched the cold mug in her hands.
I can't believe this, she inwardly seethed, her teeth and hands clenched in visible anger. Why did he leave me here? Why didn't he tell me that he couldn't make it? Why did he leave me sitting here…
She bit her lip hard, fighting back blurry tears. Why, on the most important day of her life, would he forget about her? Didn't he know how important this day was to her and that she wanted to share it with him? And he didn't even have the decency to send her a Patronus, or send Eerol with a message explaining why he was unable to make it? Screw that he was an Auror and that he was 'busy'! If he was busy, then he should have sent an owl or something instead of leaving her hanging!
She was so infuriated with her boyfriend that she didn't even notice Rosmerta peek over her shoulder at her.
"Ma'am?" she asked politely, as if she didn't notice the dangerous auras Hermione was sending. "Hermione? Are you alright?"
"N-No, I'm not alright," Hermione shook her head as she reached for her purse. "Sorry for keeping one of your tables for so long. I was supposed to meet someone here but… Well... How much do I owe you, ma'am?"
The bartender shook her head. "It's on me today, sweetie."
Hermione's eyes met Rosmerta's and she shook her head. "I couldn't possibly do that, Rosmerta! I can't walk away without paying!"
"Well, today you will." Rosmerta touched her shoulder with a smile, full of understanding. She saw right through her. She seemed to know that Ron had stood her up. "If I see Mr. Weasley, I will be sure to let him know that you were here."
"Oh, please do," Hermione wiped the remainder of her tears away and stood to her feet, slapping a few Sickle on the table as a tip. "Please tell him that his girlfriend is furious and the next time she sees him she is going to kick his sorry arse."
Ginny knew the moment that she Flooed into Hermione's new quarters that there was something wrong. The tension in the air was so thick that one could cut it with butter knife if they wished.
"Hermione?" the redhead called cautiously. Shaking the soot from her robes and a small bag in her hand, she stepped out of the fireplace.
"I'll be right there!" she called from her bedroom and Ginny could only assume that Hermione was using the loo. She tried her best to miss it, but she could hear the strain in her best friend's tone.
Ohh, boy. Something must have really upset her.
Ginny removed her robes and took a quick glance around the place. She gave a low whistle under her breath. "Talk about nice," she whispered as she set her things on the large red sofa, one similar to the one in Gryffindor tower.
Apparently, the Heads of House get bloody nice rooms to themselves. Just from the first look of it, Ginny predicted that it was as big as their apartment all together. The room was everything that represented a Gryffindor – fiery red décor from rugs to the large painting over the fireplace mantle, signifying boldness and warmth. The place had been Hermione-fied, of course, judging from the abundant piles of books and scrolls scattered all over the coffee table.
Ginny smiled and shook her head. She was just happy that Hermione was finally going to be doing something that she wanted for so long… But the air was still very thick with hostility and Ginny hoped that Hermione wasn't in too foul of a mood.
"Sorry, sorry!" Hermione's footsteps approached her from behind while Ginnye stared at her bookshelf. "I was in the loo. I didn't know that you were coming this early, Gin."
"Quidditch practice ended early today. So I thought I'd stop by a bit earlier-," Ginny turned. She blinked once, and then twice. She hoped that what she was seeing was just an illusion. It wasn't. And even then, she couldn't help but stare at her friend. "Hermione? What the bloody hell happened?"
The redhead had seen Hermione cry many times in the past, as they lived together and one point and they were close friends. Ginny often thought of Hermione as a crybaby when they were young, but nowadays, one would have to work EXTRA hard to upset Hermione to the point of tears. And although Hermione tried to maintain an appearance of logic most of the time, she often broke down when something truly offended her. And judging by the blotchiness of her eyes and cheeks, she had been crying for a long time. Maybe even an hour or so.
"It's nothing!" Hermione waved her hand, wiping the remaining tears away. It was pointless, since her old tears were quickly replaced with new tears. "I just had a dreadful morning, that's all!"
"Oh, no no no," The lioness of Gryffindor snapped a finger. She was not going to allow Hermione to sweep this one under the rug. She pulled her best friend right over to the sofa and pushed on her shoulders until she sat down. "Sit. Stay." She demanded as she marched into the small kitchen. She searched eagerly for the cooling unit and was frustrated when she did not find one. She opened a few cabinets and – with a fistpump of success – she pulled out two bottles of Butterbeer and a few packages of Chocolate Frogs.
Closing the cabinet with her foot, she hurried over to the couch and sat down next to her teary-eyed friend. She popped open both bottles and handed her one. She then tossed her a Chocolate Frog and sat back. "Now-," she pointed a finger at Hermione. "Talk."
Hermione's red, puffy eyes did not meet hers for a long moment. They seemed to be fixated on the bottle in her hand.
Ginny felt her heart soften towards her friend. This was no small offense that had occurred. Something big must have happened for her to look like she were about to break.
"C'mon, Hermione," Ginny told her, only her tone was a bit softer this time. "You can talk to me. This is one of the biggest days of your life, remember? For Merlin's sake, you gotta get this off your chest before it affects your whole day. You can't have that happen today. You've been waiting for this day for months!"
The witch sitting opposite of her flinched at Ginny's words, but she didn't regret them in the slightest.
"I…" Hermione's voice was strained like it was before, if not even more-so now. "I can't believe that he didn't show up…"
Ginny didn't need an explanation. She knew very well who Hermione was talking about, and boy, was she already pissed at her older brother.
"Did he at least send an owl?" Ginny asked, trying to keep any hint of bitterness out of her tone. "Or a Patronus? Did you try to send him one?"
Hermione shook her head, her curls bouncing.
"N-No."
Ginny's nose crinkled in disgust. She loved all her brothers; even Percy, who was the biggest pain in the arse of the whole family and Charlie, who she didn't see anymore. She probably loved Ronald the most because they were the closest to one another. However, since they were the closest, she was easily angered at him. He knew better, especially since he had been so careless over the past few months with Hermione. Ginny had to fight the urge to send a threatening Patronus to her beloved brother threatening to hex him into next week, but that would have to wait. Her best friend was here, tired and hurt, and she had to be there for her… Even if she wanted to go use an Unforgivable on him.
Our parents raised him better than that, she thought. I can't believe he'd do this to his own girlfriend.
"Hermione, I…" The redhead racked her head for any sort of encouraging words but she found none that she hadn't already used before. "I'm sorry that this happened to you. Ronald, he… He must have forgotten."
"He knew…" Hermione sniffled. She took a small sip of Butterbeer. "He knew that this was an important day to me. He's my boyfriend. He shouldn't have forgotten."
"You're right. He shouldn't have," Ginny agreed, comfortingly rubbing Hermione's knee. "He's an Auror. Something must have kept him."
"No!" Hermione's voice rose, startling Ginny out of her skin. Fire had returned to Hermione's eyes like they had when she was a student. Hermione stood to her feet, swinging her bottle around in agitation. "Nothing should have kept him from meeting me today! Nothing whatsoever! I'm his girlfriend! I should be important to him! My work and career should be important to him! He knew how special this day was to me! How could he simply forget about showing up? How could he do that?"
Ginny couldn't help but look at her friend and feel sorry for her. Hermione and Ronald never had the best relationship. Sure, they were great friends but love interests? Not quite. They always seemed to be having a go at one another nowadays. There was no peace. Harry even told her at some point that he would not go on a double-date with them again since the first couple of times they had argued throughout the entire night.
The only thing that Ginny wanted was for both of them to be happy and frankly, neither one of them were happy at the moment.
"I know," she cooed softly, trying to get her friend to calm down. "Aurors do have to be available at all times, 'Mione, remember? Who knows what could have happened."
Hermione threw Ginny a bewildered look.
"Whose side are you on?"
Ginny held up her freehand. "I'm not taking sides. I would be angry if Harry did that to me, too. But I think that you need to realize that Ronald is an Auror and that sometimes when you think that you've been ditched, he both probably got called on an emergency. Harry told me that most of the Aurors have been plenty busy trying to snatch roaming Death Eaters that need to be apprehended."
It usually took a lot to calm Hermione down but she knew that she had scored when Hermione's shoulders finally relaxed.
"Ronald is probably just doing his job. Harry can't even make half the dates he used to because he's so busy with Auror work. And you know me-," she took a swig of her Butterbeer. "I don't take my brother's side usually on anything, but I know what you're going through because my fiancé works in the same field as Ronald does - he's an Auror too." Ginny gave Hermione a pleading look. "So, it's best not to get angry until we know the full story, hm? Who used to say that around here?"
A small smile tugged at Hermione's lips. "Me."
"Exactly." Ginny smiled as well. "So, don't be upset anymore. If I see Ron before you do, I'll try to get him to send you a letter or something. Who knows what he's been doing recently? I haven't seen him much either. But like I said, Auror business comes first."
Her small speech seemed to calm Hermione down immensely. "Yeah, you're probably right," she agreed quietly. "It just hurt my feelings."
"I know it. I'd be throwing a bitch fit too," the redhead agreed as she tore open her Chocolate Frog package and tore a vicious bite out of the head. Mm. Delicious. "But hey, we gotta give our men the benefit of a doubt. If you're really that fidgety about the whole thing, send him a letter via owl or something and when he responds, and then you'll have your story."
Hermione nodded and sipped her Butterbeer quietly.
Ginny downed both hers and Hermione's Chocolate Frogs and finished her Butterbeer. "Now, no more sad-faces! Let's hit Gladrags Wizardwear and buy you nice, new fancy robes! Let's have you knock everyone's socks off tonight!"
Hermione gave a sheepish smile. "I would, Gin, but I don't have-,"
"It's on me today, 'Mione."
Her friend made a face. "Gin, I already had Rosmerta refuse to let me pay for my drinks today. I can't ask you to-,"
"Oh, yes you can," Ginny replied with a smile. "Let it be a half-apology for my stupid brother and a gift from a bride to her bridesmaid... Or maid of honor… Whatever you're called."
The two girls giggled in delight as they left out the door and headed out for Hogsmeade.
The day flew by in the blink of an eye.
Hermione was standing in her new dress robes for the occasion. She threw a fit when Ginny had refused to let her pay (as she said she would) for the priciest robes in the whole store. But Ginny's excuse was "You look professional and sexy! You NEED these robes!" and without any room left for argument, the robes were purchased. And although Hermione couldn't believe how expensive the robes were, she had to admit – Ginny was right. She looked great in them.
In fact, she looked great in general. Ginny had to force her to sit down and put on makeup, and when Hermione didn't do the best job, Ginny redid it. It was only light makeup, but it was for the occasion, and because of that, Hermione couldn't argue. Her hair was still decent from this morning, although the curls were not as plump and pretty as she preferred. But she couldn't worry too much about appearances. The students should be arriving any minute.
With no more time left to waste, she left her quarters quickly. She whispered her proverb and sealed the door closed with the proper spell and headed down the corridors for the Great Hall.
She briefly wondered who would be introducing the first years into the school. She hoped it would be Hagrid. He really was a wonderful person and the students loved him. Well, most of the students, anyway. Some Slytherin students still had their preferences, but then again, it didn't matter. Hopefully the new Slytherin first years would not allow their minds to be corrupted by their older Housemates, as well as their grumpy Head of House, Severus.
She giggled to herself at the thought.
"H-Hey! Hermione! Wait for me!"
Hermione didn't need to be told twice. She glanced over her shoulder and smiled as a familiar face hurried towards her. "Slow down, Neville!" she laughed at the poor flustered boy as he caught up to her. "Where's the fire?"
Neville suddenly looked alarmed. "Th-There's a FIRE? WHERE?"
The witch bent over laughing at that one. Was she really going to have to spell everything out around here? Oh, Lord, she hoped not. "It's just a Muggle expression, Neville! It means 'what's the hurry?'!"
Natural color returned to Neville's features as he exhaled a breath. "Oh…. Sorry. I just wanted to walk with you to the Great Hall. If that's alright."
"Of course!"
"Are you excited?" he asked as they began to walk beside one another. "Well, of course you're excited… You've been practically skipping around for days."
"I'm very excited," Hermione beamed. She couldn't help the smile growing wider and wider on her face. She was too energized. Who cares what happened earlier today with Ron? Yes, it was a disappointment, but it didn't really matter now. All that mattered was that she was only precious minutes away from meeting the students and being introduced as the new Charms professor!
"I can't wait for the students to arrive."
Neville smiled as well as he straightened his robes out. "I can't wait, either. We have two new professors this year – you for Charms and Professor Doddle for The Defense Against the Dark Arts. The students will be pleased."
"I hope so…" Hermione admitted. "I hope that I'm everything that Minerva wished for in a teacher."
"You are," Neville encouraged her, patting her shoulder. "You're a great witch, Hermione. You'll be able to teach these students, no problem! I'm sure of it!"
"Thanks, Neville."
Neville was right. She had trained long and hard to be ready for this moment. She was going to be fine. Everything was going to be okay. She was starting off this new school year just right. She was at peace with all her colleagues and she was more than prepared. She would be alright. She had friends here. She had Minerva and Neville… And she even had Severus.
Hermione walked to the Great table along with the other professors and she fought back the urge to giggle like a young school girl. She had to maintain a professional profile, as she was now a professor. She was nearly shaking when she glanced up. "Neville, where do I sit?"
"O-Oh, you sit between me and Professor Snape…" He whispered quietly, pointing to the empty chair between his and another chair.
"Oh, well, bugger me," Hermione whispered jokingly to herself as she sat in the seat. Suppressing shudders of delight, she ran her fingers over the table. This was her chair… This was her spot… She had a spot now.
I may faint…
She watched as the other professors took their seats, some of them giving her a short greeting or a congratulatory smile. She returned them politely with her same wide smile. She was too excited.
"You look as though you may burst, Hermione."
Hermione nearly jumped. She spun her head around and to her surprise (why she was surprised, she did not know) when she saw Severus sitting next to her. She rested a hand over her frantically pounding heart.
"How did you get there?"
"I sat down."
"Hardy harr harr. I mean it! I didn't even notice that you were there."
"That was my intention."
"So, you did that to scare me?"
"Perhaps."
Hermione shook her head at the Potions master, who looked forward instead of meeting her gaze. She didn't expect him to dress for the occasion and she was not surprised. Dressed in his normal robes and with his damp hair barely combed – he looked as if he had just walked into a shower and walked right out. Then again, this was Severus she was looking at. He didn't take pride in his appearances, nor should she expect him to.
She nudged him with her shoulder. "Don't be such a prat. I was merely asking a question."
A smile tugged at the corner of Severus' lips. "A very stupid question."
Their brief conversation was interrupted by the two great doors of the Great Hall creaking. All backs at the table were straightened and eyes were forward, especially Hermione's. This was it. The students were getting ready to come inside and sit at their tables. Hermione wasn't sure if there was a small earthquake that had just happened or if it was her bouncing in her seat.
She didn't know. She didn't care, either.
Minerva, who had just stood from her seat, smiled at her professors.
"Hold onto your hats, professors. Here come the students."
END
Ooooh, finally! Some physical contact between our Potions Master and Charms Professor! ;) I know that hand-touching isn't a huge deal to some people, but it is to Severus and Hermione at the moment. And FINALLY – the beginning of the school year! I hope that things can pick up a bit now!
I hope to have the next chapter up soon! Remember to review (it's the only way that I get paid for all my hard work)!
Blue skies and sunshine!
SonicxAmyfan4Life
Random fact of the day: I really like Hot Cheetos. I could eat them all day, every day. I shouldn't, but I do.
