The next morning, Hermione got up early, got washed, dressed and put on her large warm duffle coat. She had a mission in her mind now and was eager to get started.
She opened her box which held the time turner and took out the envelope underneath. Inside was a key with a note attached and another smaller envelope which simply said Severus on the front. Hermione returned the letter to the larger envelope and took the key out and read the little note which said "Pine Martins"
She went down into the livingroom and concentrated on where she wanted to go and with a gentle 'crack' she apparated.
Landing on the cobble path, she made her way up to the door and inserted the key, as she turned it, a small stone gargoyle above the door startled her,
"password" it said, in a gravelly voice.
"pine martins" Hermione replied.
"enter" said the gargoyle.
Hermione entered the cottage and looked around, she was inside a small landing with stairs going up to the right.
Ahead of her was a large wooden door, she pushed it and it opened with a gentle creak.
There were heavy curtains closed over the windows and it was dark inside, so Herione opened them letting rays of sunlight into the room.
The cottage living room was gorgeous inside, vibrant mahogany furnishings and wood flooring with a big tartan rug in the centre beside the fireplace, a little coffee table on the top.
"Oh my goodness" Hermione exclaimed, "This is beautiful"
"Hello my dear" a familiar voice came from the side. Hermione loked over to see a painting of Minerva shimmering and smiling at her.
Tears started to well in Hermiones eyes. "Miverva" she sobbed.
"It is lovely to see you Hermione, how are you keeping?" Minerva asked.
"I am well" Hermione answered "but busy"
"and Severus..." Minerva responded with a questioning glance
"Its still slow, he is recovering, but not fast, his fighting spirit is defeated" Hermione said tears spilling from her eyes. "Thats why I am here actually, my house is very small and I just dont have all the room he will need"
"You are welcome to stay her of course" Minerva interjected.
"That is not quite what I was thinking" Hermione said in a quieter voice, "I just need to have a look around first please?"
"Of course you can, I will give you some space" said Minerva and disappeared from the frame.
Hermione looked around the living room there were two two seater sofas forming an L shape on the left side of the room, they were a light red and green tartan with tan leather cushions and there were two maching wing back chairs on the right hand side of the room beside a large bay window, there was a large open space between them and the fireplace, plenty of space to move around and three large bookcases full of books.
Hermione exited the room back into the front landing, she had always visited Minerva at Hogwarts, she had never actually seen her home, as far as she knew Minerva spent very little time here.
She followed the corridor down to the left, there was another wooden door straight ahead which opened to reveal a small bathroom and a door to the side which contained a small office with a desk, a chair and two small bookcases. Hermione opened the lighter curtains in this room, an the window a little to let some air in.
Walking back into the corridor, she backtracked to the main entrance and opened another door to the right of the living room, the kitchen inside had blinds which were already open and a large centre cooking area in a pale green colour and a bay windowed dining area at the end with a table and four chairs. The window looked straight onto the garden where Hermione could see an orchard with apple and pear trees just at the edges of the patio.
A small door off the kitchen contained a pantry and sink and a steps down to a very small wine cellar.
Going upstairs, Hermione discovered a huge master bedroom with an ornately carved wooden master bed, two double bedrooms, two single bedrooms and three bathrooms. Paintings on the wall, showed what must have been at least a few generations of Monervas family.
The house was gorgeous and the grounds outside looked large, supporting various types of trees and plantlife.
A little overwhelmed by the size of the estate Hermione apparated to the hospital for a short visit, stopped back at the cottage again, then quickly went back home.
Hermione knocked on Severus's door with a cup of tea for them both and woke him.
"Morning Severus" she smiled.
Severus opened one bleary eye and whispered "Morning, it's early Hermione, what is it, is everything alright?"
"I have an idea I want to run past you before I go to work" she chirped.
Severus raised his head, but struggled to use his arms to sit, his left arm shaking worse than his right.
"Here", Hermione said as she handed him a regenerative potion, which he shakily raised to his mouth, spilling some as he drank.
"I had an idea last night at the hospital" she started "This past few weeks has been a struggle for us both, you must be sick of being cooped up here and this house is very small, I cant get enough space to brew potions and cook and store ingredients" she began
Severus face fell, he knew it would come to this, although he was surprised it took until now for her to see what a burden he was.
"You are sending me back to the hospital" he said, defeated.
"Severus, we are friends are we not?" Hermione asked
Severus had in his life very few people he could ever have considered friends, true frinds that did not just try and use him and his abilities for themselves, but if he had to imagine a true friend, then Hermione was definetly that.
"Yes.. I would hope so" He croaked hoarsley
"Do you trust me?" She asked
"With my life" He responded
A little taken aback by that, Hermione smiled. Wrapping a large black dressing gown she had purchsed previously for him around him and tying it and casting a stasis bubble around him, she levitated him off the bed.
Hermione walked downstairs to her floo, carefully maneuvered Severus down, taking him into the floo with her, threw a handful of floo powder down at her feet and said clearly "Snape Cottage"