Enjoy...

Chapter 14

~x~

On Saturday afternoon, Severus finished signing the last of several letters to be sent out by owl to the Board of Governors. He set the quill down onto his desk, removed his wand, and waved it over the stack of letters. Instantly, the sheets of parchment folded themselves, with the address of each governor appearing the outside of the now sealed letters. That done, Severus called for a house-elf and had him take the letters to the Owlery, which were to be delivered immediately.

Once he was certain that he had completed all necessary administration, Severus flicked his wand again to clear his desk. He hoped to see as little of his study as possible over the next two weeks, though no doubt someone would see fit to interrupt his half-term break. As he rose from his desk he glanced at the portrait behind his desk out of habit, but Dumbledore was not in his frame. Severus, though, quickly remembered that old wizard had mentioned he would be visiting his frame at the Ministry today. While he was unsure for what reason, it was clear that even as a portrait Dumbledore had not lost his interest in politics.

Sweeping his gaze over his study one last time, contented that everything was in order, Severus left his study. As the door closed, though, he heard muffled, disgruntled voices. However, he was unfazed by them as he had little interest in conversing with the other portraits, especially Phineas Black. The former Slytherin Head's interference still angered him, despite that fact that it had eventually brought Hermione and him together. As he descended the spiral staircase he resolved that he would leave instructions after his death, detailing where he wished his portrait to be hung. A disused classroom in the dungeons would suit him perfectly well.

The deserted corridors were a welcome sight as he walked purposefully towards his quarters. Most students had left earlier that morning for the half-term holidays, and would not return for two weeks. As for those who remained they were to report to their House heads.

It was not long before he reached his rooms, and after speaking the password, a portrait guarding the entrance swung open. He stepped inside and removed his robes, hanging them on a hat stand by the door. He tugged at his cravat, loosening it slightly, but left his overcoat buttoned. From his pocket he removed a gold hunter-case watch and checked the time: he had another half an hour before Hermione arrived. It would be plenty of time to begin brewing Pepper-Up potion for Poppy. Even though he was Headmaster, Severus still insisted on supplying the school's Healer with potions, which seemed to have greatly pleased Poppy. He had always found pleasure in brewing, particularly now, since he no longer had to teach new generations of dunderheads.

As he prepared the ingredients he would need, his mind turned to the letter Hermione had received the previous day. The Weasley boy was coming to Hogwarts - tomorrow. As much as the idea grated on him, Severus knew he had no right to keep Hermione from meeting with him. Indeed, he believed it would only do more damage than good by dictating to her on this matter. Not that he had much cause to fear; after all, the only thing Hermione and Weasley had in common was Potter.

"Severus?"

"I'm in here, Hermione."

A moment later, Hermione appeared in the doorway of his small potions laboratory. She removed her satchel and set it on the floor, then joined him at the workbench. It had only been a week since the renewal of their relationship, yet already they were becoming more comfortable with each other.

"Pepper-Up?" she asked.

Severus nodded. "Yes, it's for Poppy."

"So, the rumours are true then?"

He arched an eyebrow. "What rumours?"

"That Madam Pomfrey doesn't trust anyone else to brew potions for her," she said casually.

Severus snorted. "If you must know, I offered to continue to brew for Poppy."

"You're too modest, Severus," Hermione said with a smirk.

He narrowed his eyes slightly. "If you're going to sit in here, make yourself useful and stir this while I finish chopping."

"Of course," she said her face alight with eagerness.

Severus' dark gaze softened somewhat, then said, "How was your morning?"

"It was fine," she said. "I took a walk around the grounds; I'd asked Draco to join me, but he refused. One of these days, Severus, I'm going to have him taking daily walks with me."

"Good luck with that," he replied dryly.

Hermione held back her next question until she had finished stirring the potion clockwise twelve times. She had almost grinned from ear to ear when he had asked her to help him. Severus, she knew, was very particular about his potions, and allowing her to assist him dispelled any lingering doubts she might have had. For, two months ago, she was sure Severus would have rather eaten a jar of pickled frogspawn than have her, or anyone for that matter, help him.

"You don't think I can do it, hmmm?" she said, removing the stirring rod, and wiping it clean.

"Draco is even more stubborn that you, Hermione," Severus remarked, his eyes glittering with faint amusement.

Hermione pursed her lips. "I am not stubborn."

Severus tapped his chin with an index finger as if in thought. "Perhaps I was thinking of the other Hermione Granger, then," he said, the corners of his mouth twitching.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Enjoying what?"

Hermione glared at him half-heartedly. "As I saying, I think Draco would benefit from getting out more."

"I agree," he answered more seriously. "But you must not force him. Draco might not show it, but the night you were stunned unsettled him greatly."

"Did you ever discover who was responsible?" Hermione asked, frowning.

Severus shook his head. "No, but I believe whoever attacked you is in Slytherin."

"Slytherin? B-But Draco was a Slytherin."

"I'm inclined to believe it was the relatives of Death Eaters who attacked you. The Malfoys are seen by some as traitors; they gave the Ministry a long list of names to keep Draco from prison."

Hermione felt her heart beat faster. "Severus, you were a Death Eater, too…What if –"

Setting the knife in his hand down, he placed his hands gently on her shoulders. "Look at me, Hermione," he said silkily. "I succeeded in fooling one of most powerful wizards of this century – for almost twenty years, I might add. That, among other things, has kept me safe since the end of the war. Rest assured, Hermione, I am not in any danger."

The intensity of his gaze and the smooth richness of his voice slowly settled her fear. She didn't resist when he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his embrace. He held her silently for a few moments, then as he drew back from her he caught her chin tenderly. His kiss was slow, searching, but it succeeded in making her forget the dread that had flooded her body only minutes before.

Their intimacy was cut short, however, when the cauldron began to bubble and splutter. Severus released Hermione, surprisingly allowing her to bring the potion under control.

"I was reading through my research this morning and redid some of the Arithmancy," she said, stirring the potion clockwise. "And I don't think that removing just a single memory will be enough to effectively test the anti-obliviation potion."

Severus stopped slicing and looked up at her sharply.

"It's not as bad as it sounds, Severus," she reassured him.

"Then, please, do enlighten me," he said wryly.

"You told me that Dumbledore made a copy of your memories, so –"

"You wish me to do the same for you?"

"Yes."

Severus crossed his arms over this chest. "Exactly how much memory are you wanting me to obliviate."

Hermione looked away from him, focusing instead on the potion.

"How much?" he repeated firmly.

She bit her bottom lip before finally lifting her gaze to meet his. "A week's worth."

He continued to stand rigid beside her, but she saw his features relax. It was so slight, though, that anyone else might have missed it.

Severus picked up the knife again, then said, "Then you had best pick a week of inconsequential memories."

Although it would be nothing like what he had gone through; after all, he'd had a twenty year gap between being obliviated and having his memory restored. But still, he did not want Hermione to cause herself any unnecessary strain.

After he had added in the rest of the ingredients to the cauldron he lowered the flame beneath it, leaving it to simmer. He then washed his hands and motioned for Hermione to lead the way into the living room.

"Have you had lunch yet?"

"No."

"I thought as much," he said, then added at her curious stare. "If I recall correctly, who was it who used to sit in her flat and have to be forcibly dragged from her work?"

Hermione blushed, but smiled nonetheless. "I'll take cheese on toast in that case."

"Do you want it with Worcestershire sauce?" Severus asked.

"They have it here…at Hogwarts?" she said, somewhat surprised.

"Yes, I had a few bottles bought in. I could never quite understand where my liking for it came from." He arched an eyebrow. "Now, I know."

Hermione laughed.

A moment later, Severus called for Winky and she appeared with a pop in the middle of the room. He asked her to prepare cheese on toast for Hermione as well as ham and mustard sandwich for himself.

Half an hour later, after they had eaten, Severus waved his wand to clear away their empty plates.

"Are you ready?"

Hermione nodded that she was, though Severus saw her swallow hard.

"What memories am I to copy and obliviate?"

"A week during fifth year; all I did was study for my OWLs."

"Close your eyes, Hermione," he said.

Severus did not want her to see the slight tremble of his hand as he raised his wand to her head. This was not a nameless enemy or a Death Eater; this was the woman he loved. Whispering quietly, he first made a copy of her memories, and then carefully placed the silvery thread into a phial.

Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself, then said, "Obliviate."

Hermione opened her eyes a few seconds later. She seemed a little confused, but he reached out and took her hand in his.

"Hermione," he said, "Did you study hard for your OWLs?"

She blinked once, twice, then replied. "I-I…I don't remember…But, then, how did I pass? Oh Merlin –"

"It's all right," he reassured her. "It's time to see if this potion of yours works."

Suddenly, understanding flickered across her eyes. "Oh, right, you obliviated those memories."

Severus removed the stopper from the phial containing Hermione's experimental potion and handed it to her. He had meticulously read over her notes, and was confident that the ingredients would not cause her any ill effects if it should fail in its primary purpose. His gaze never strayed from her face as she drank all the contents of the phial.

"Ugh," she said, screwing up her face. "It tastes disgusting."

Severus took out his watch and opened it. "If nothing happens in the next five minutes I will insert your copied memories."

"All right, but –"

"Hermione, what's wrong?"

She pressed a hand to her forehead. "It hurts like hell, that's what's wrong."

"Lie down," he ordered.

She did not need to be told twice and quickly lay down on the sofa. Severus knelt on the floor beside her, moving his wand in small circles about her head. She could hear him muttering under his breath, but the pain only continued to increase. Reaching out, she gripped his other hand, squeezing it tightly. It must have hurt him, but to his credit he did not flinch.

At the moment she thought she would pass out the pain slowly began to subside. And then, images began to form in her mind; she saw herself furiously reading through her books, all the while wishing Harry and Ron would find somewhere else to study. A triumphant smile spread across her face.

It had worked.

"Hermione?"

"It worked, Severus. The memories, they're back!"