The usual disclaimer applies. I own nothing and make nothing, and anything you recognise belongs to the talented JK Rowling.
Quick note...sorry for the really long delay in posting this chapter. My youngest son has been very sick with pneumonia, and then my life was crazy with Christmas preparations. It has not been betaed, so all mistakes are my own. Thanks for your understanding. Enjoy!
Chapter 11
Hermione walked outside and waited for the guard to cast the warming charm. It probably really wasn't necessary now that it was starting to get a bit warmer, but she appreciated the effort from the new guards. All of the guards that had worked with Marietta had either been sacked or transferred elsewhere, and for the first time in months, she was treated like a human being rather than a number.
It was now late February, and Hermione was looking forward to talking with Severus. Her outdoor breaks had been increased from every two weeks to weekly, and she cherished the time they spent together. Although neither of them had discussed it, their relationship had definitely changed since her attack. It wasn't anything that would be obvious to anyone observing them, but the tone of their conversation had become far more relaxed and personal, and they almost always sat closely together.
Although they had been enjoying conversing about the latest paperback that Minerva had given Severus, Hermione's attention had drifted off momentarily. She had been lost in thought for almost a minute before she closed the paperback and stared at Severus.
She gnawed on her lip nervously before speaking. "When you get out, what are you going to do? Or rather, what would you like to do?" She asked him in a curious tone.
Severus looked at her, and then grimaced before responding. "I don't know that I will have many choices. I don't ever want to teach again, not that I believe I would ever be offered that job again." He paused and had a thoughtful look on his face before responding. "I'm not really sure. I don't know who would hire a Death Eater and former convict."
"I've been thinking about that as well, Severus. I know that the public opinion of me has changed after my attack, but I'll still have the title of former convict attached to me as well. I spent the year after the end of the war looking for my parents, and then spent the next six months either preparing for my trial or being tried. I never even took my N.E.W.T.s," she wiped a small tear from the corner of her eyes as she spoke. "But I've tried to be more positive, and I've let myself at least have dreams about a good future. In my dreams, I own a bookstore in a small town, and I'm happy. I know it isn't realistic, and I don't have even a galleon to my name, but it gives me hope."
She reached her hand toward him, and gently grasped his arm. "What are your dreams, Severus? If you could do whatever you wanted?"
He sighed and then took a deep breath before answering her. "Not that I have the money to do so, but I would open my own apothecary. Store front or mail order- it wouldn't matter as long as I owned it and brewed all the potions."
"Would you want to stay here, Severus? Near Hogwarts? Or would you want to get away from all of this?" She shook her head a bit and grimaced. "I really am thankful for Harry and Minerva, and all that they are trying to accomplish, but I really want to move away and get a fresh start when I get out of here."
"Why are you asking me these questions, Hermione?" His voice softened as he saw the slightly hurt look on her face. "I don't mean any offense, but you caught me quite off guard with this line of questions. What made you want to talk about this right now?"
"I'm not sure, really. I guess that for the first time since I have been incarcerated, I finally feel like there is a chance for my future. Although I am trying not to get my hopes up, both Harry and Minerva have mentioned the possibility of parole or a pardon. I guess it has been on my mind a little more than usual, and I wondered what you would do as well. Harry mentioned that your sentence might be shortened as well."
Severus snorted, "Like that would ever happen. I am a murderer and a Death Eater; my crimes are much worse than yours." He paused for a moment, and then continued, "But to answer your earlier question, I think I would like to get away from England as well. Somewhere no one is familiar with my name. Perhaps Spain or Greece- somewhere not as bloody cold in the winter." He quirked one eyebrow as he looked at her, obviously trying to lighten the mood.
"Severus, you were convicted for assisted suicide, not murder. And all of the Wizarding world knows that you were a spy and not a true Death Eater. You have just as good a chance as I at getting paroled or pardoned." She smiled at him and gently grasped his hand. "I think Spain would be nice this time of year. I might have to open my bookstore next to your apothecary."
Severus leaned in towards her, and ran a finger gently down the side of her face. "I would like that very much."
-ooOOoo-
Hermione looked up towards the small window in her cell. She sighed as she rolled over, and tried to go to sleep. Although she had been in her small bed for two hours, sleep continued to allude her. All she could think about was her visit with Severus in the courtyard. And his finger stroking the side of my face.
She knew that their relationship was gradually leaving the safety of friendship and heading into unknown territory. But she smiled slightly as she ran her own fingers across her face, still somehow feeling the tingle of Severus's fingers on her cheek.
-ooOOoo-
Hermione walked into the visiting area as the guard opened the door. It had been over a week since she had a visitor, and she was nervous with anticipation. She smiled when she saw Harry and Minerva already seated across the table.
Harry ran his fingers through his hair nervously, "Hermione, your case came up for review by the Wizengamot, and Kingsley gave me permission to personally give you this." He handed her the Ministry sealed parchment, noting the surprised look on her face.
"But, Harry-," she stopped as he cut her off with a wave of his hand.
"Just read it first, Hermione, then we'll answer any questions you have."
Hermione's hands were shaking slightly as she broke the seal and started to unroll the parchment. She gasped aloud as she saw that the terms of her sentence had been changed. Tears started to roll down her face as she processed the information that she had just read.
"A year? I only have to serve a year? That means-," she started crying again before she could get the words out.
"That means you will be able to leave in two months." Minerva smiled as she spoke to Hermione.
"We tried to get time served, but this was the best we could do. The Wizengamot still felt that what you did to your parents was wrong, but they all agreed that three years was excessive. Especially considering what you have already been though."
Hermione smiled at them, wiping the tears from her eyes with the corner of her robes before speaking once again. "I can handle two months. After everything I've been through, two months is nothing, really. Thank you both so much...for everything."
A/N...Sorry this is so short, but it was just the most natural place to stop.
Around three more chapters and then the epilogue. Whew...finally getting to the finish line.
As always, reviews are very much appreciated!
