Disclaimer:- I neither own nor earn anything from this story. Harry Potter and his world are the intellectual property of JK Rowling and associates.

oOo

A/N:- This chapter is a fairly long one, and kind of a transit point for the story, and only one more chapter to go before the Christmas holidays.

Also a quick thank you for all your alerts and reviews, I am very happy with the way this story is being received. Thank you, one and all. Thank you also to Golden Asp, my diligent beta.

Chapter Fourteen – Settling Into Routine

As they walked to breakfast the next morning, Hermione and Severus were held up, waiting for the stairs to come back after suddenly swinging away. Hermione stood with a thoughtful look on her face. She had been so caught up in what had happened between her and Severus that she hadn't even considered the fate of Pomfrey and Trelawney, and she gasped as she suddenly asked, "How do you think Trelawney and Pomfrey got on with the headmaster last night?"

Severus sniffed imperiously. "Albus will probably just smack both of them on the back of the hand and keep them," and then he shrugged, "But then again, maybe he might cut them loose, he's an unpredictable old bugger." There was silence for another moment, and then he muttered, "It's beyond me to fathom why he keeps Trelawney now the war is over; she's a drunk." He sneered slightly. "In fact they're both past it."

Hermione remembered that Trelawney had hit the sherry even when she had been a student, but out of his statement she honed in on the fact that he had admitted not knowing something, regardless of how he had phrased it. She still remembered his statement to her about never telling a know-it-all what to do, and she pounced, desperately trying to keep a straight face while crowing internally in triumph. "Now there's something I will never accept," she returned, unable to hide the cheeky glint in her eye, especially when he appeared puzzled.

She drew herself up dramatically. "And if it is truly the case," she paused artfully, "then I'm afraid," and she sighed theatrically, "I will not be able to continue as your apprentice." Sticking her nose in the air she attempted to appear haughty, as she watched his face change. "How could I have been so wrong?" She paused for effect. "I was under the impression that you, my dear master, knew everything," and she couldn't hide her mirth any longer.

Catching on, Severus' eyes suddenly glinted dangerously, and a slow smile spread across his lips. "Oh my playful little dear, you are going to pay for that one."

Hermione decided to extend the game, after all, everyone would already be at breakfast, and she replied, "Only if you can catch me." Snickering, she waved. "Bye," and leapt with as much dignity as she could muster onto the stairway before it had fully stopped, and charged off towards their destination.

Still trying to appear well-behaved while partly running to avoid the man bearing down on you from behind was more fun than she had ever imagined. He was scowling and she was laughing gaily by the time they reached the doors of The Great Hall. Mind you, she was glad that they didn't meet anyone. The last thing she wanted was people thinking Professor Snape was chasing her, even if he was.

When they reached the hall's heavy doors, Hermione stopped so fast outside them that he almost ran into her. She turned to find him looming over her, and she put her finger under his nose. "I win!" and she smiled broadly. "You didn't have a ready come back, that time," she teased.

Feeling certain there was no one around, but discretely looking anyway, Severus turned back and unabashedly grinned at her. Moving in closer, he murmured huskily into her ear, "You think so, do you?"and his hand caressed her waist.

Hermione instantly became flustered by his closeness. She parted her lips to speak but only a vague noise came out, and she heard him chuckle darkly. His laugh was delicious and seemed to lodge in the pit of her stomach, quickly turning her legs to jelly.

His sparkling black eyes looked into her wide brown ones, and he chuckled even more wickedly. He could see that she was totally dumbfounded, and leaning forward he seductively breathed in her ear. "Do you know what your smile makes me want to do, Hermione?" He skimmed his lips around the shell of her ear and along her jaw, deliberately placing an open mouthed kiss on the column of her throat.

Her head fell back and she moaned as his lips and tongue worked on her throat. His arm tightened around her waist and he allowed her to feel what she did to him, just momentarily pressing his hardness against her stomach. When he pulled back his voice teased across her lips. "Now, I believe it is you without a comeback, my darling one. Tsk, tsk, better luck next time."

Her mutinous stomach chose that moment to rumble, and she blushed even darker.

This reminded Severus of where they were, and why. He straightened abruptly and offered his arm. "Now, as much as I could watch that pretty blush of yours all day, your stomach has just reminded me that we need to get this day underway... Come," and he escorted her into the hall.

Hermione felt that every eye was watching her. She did not know that Severus had placed a quick notice-me-not charm on her until her breathing settled again and her flushed cheeks disappeared.

He had no intention of announcing to the whole hall by Hermione's flustered appearance that they had been misbehaving outside the doors. It was his hope, that some day in the future she would be as comfortable with those kinds of situation as he was. Right now though, it still flustered her, and he would protect her dignity for her.

Once they were seated, Severus glanced up the table to see if Trelawney and Pomfrey were present, neither were. However, he did become aware that both Minerva and Albus were watching them. He wondered for how long, and damn it they were smiling. He scowled in return and got up, walking over and leaning slightly in between them he inquired, "What are you two grinning like idiots about?"

"Oh… nothing at all, dear boy… nothing at all," Albus replied innocently, but added enigmatically, "Certain charms are most useful, are they not?"

Severus pursed his lips, but then sneered. "Indeed." He glanced quickly at Minerva before his eyes returned to Albus and he said, "Hermione wishes to be included in the funeral party tomorrow, and I will accompany her."

"Very good, Severus," and Albus noticed his Potions master's covert glances at the two empty chairs at the other end of the table. "Ah yes, I wish to see you and Hermione before classes start."

"Albus," Severus nodded, and went to eat his breakfast.

Once Severus was seated again, everyone heard the headmaster tapping his fork on his glass and the hall went quiet in anticipation of his announcement. "Good morning, students. Any student requiring the infirmary, until further notice is to report to their Head of House, as the infirmary is currently unattended. Please have a wonderful day everyone, and remember; learning is fun." There was a general groan at the headmaster's last comment that reached across the four house tables, but people soon went back to their conversations and food.

Severus and Hermione were just leaving the hall after breakfast to meet Albus when Minerva approached them. "I'm planning a trip to Hogsmeade during last lesson, this afternoon," she told Hermione. "I was wondering if you would like to accompany me to acquire formal funeral robes for tomorrow?"

Hermione's lip went between her teeth. "Oh, I hadn't thought of that. Yes, I would… but I have…"

"You have a free period," Severus cut in, with a significant look.

Minerva nodded. "Very good, I will meet you at the front entrance."

"I'll make sure she is there," the Potions master replied, as they started on their way once more.

"But I have double third year Potions this afternoon," she reminded him as they walked.

"No, my dear, just for this afternoon I have double third year Potions," and he smirked shark-like. "I'm certain they will all be suitably impressed with this arrangement."

"Oh undoubtedly," Hermione laughed, "and you will also get to visit with your favourite student," she asserted cheekily.

"Impertinent woman," he mocked, secretly pleased about this new cheeky side showing its face.

She smiled and replied sweetly, "Yes Severus."

"Oh, and she even agrees, now that can only mean trouble." He saw her watching him with mischief in her eyes. "I can see I'll have to think up a suitable chastisement for later."

"Really, then I shall look forward to that." She smiled as he ushered her past the gargoyles and onto the stairs going up to the headmaster's office.

xox

The meeting with Albus was only a quick one. "Poppy will return after Christmas, a holiday to sort her head out will do her good, and I have put Sybil on stress leave."

"What the deuce has the stick insect got to be stressed out about? Has the mixture of sherry and the oppressive fumes from her incense have finally sent her loopy?" Severus said with little compassion.

Albus chuckled genially, but moved on and turned to the subject he wished to discuss. "Now that I can officially make you professor of Arithmancy, to accommodate your circumstances we will ask the castle to move the Arithmancy rooms to the second floor directly above Severus quarters. I feel that this will allow things to be more streamlined between the pair of you, and allow your offices and living arrangements to align to the one set of stairs."

"When will this happen?" Hermione asked.

"I believe that the beginning of next term would be the best time," Albus told her. Then, studying them a moment, he took a deep breath. "Now, if you are to remain living in apprentice's section of Severus' quarters, then you will need to apply spells to alert you if any one requires you in your office. You will be obliged to appear as though you are living in your own quarters even if you are taking advantage of the apprentice's quarters provided. You will also need to be seen entering and leaving from your own office as well."

"Yes, sir," Hermione said quietly, not at all impressed with this development. She enjoyed the way things were, and her mind only had to flit back to this morning's little game of chasings to remind her of that, although she could also appreciate the headmaster's point.

"Please do not get me wrong, I am not censuring you," Albus told them, feeling the atmosphere in the room changing with the information he was imparting.

"Are you not indeed, how magnanimous of you, Albus," Severus interrupted sarcastically, narrowing his eyes.

Albus ignored him and continued speaking. "Spend your private time how you like, but for the public's sake, you know..." Albus' eyes went a little misty. "I was genuinely touched last night, by the pleasant picture that the three of you made when I arrived."

Severus' eyebrow rose, "Is that so," he said sceptically, he could see that the headmaster's announcement had just upset Hermione, and he moved his hand to cover hers. "We will work it out between us," he continued, squeezing her hand. He was not at all happy with this development, and even though he was aware that as a professor everything needed to be seen as proper and appropriate, he was also aware that Albus had just striped off a layer of the security he had built up around Hermione, and he was a little cutting as he said, "We need to get to class now, good morning, Albus."

"Yes, I had better get a wriggle on as well. I will be taking Divination until I can secure a new teacher," Albus told them. "Oh, and all out of school hours excursions for Heads of Houses are curtailed for the rest of the term, unless I can secure a temporary replacement for Poppy," and he ushered them down the stairs and past the gargoyles then turned in the direction of the north tower.

Severus paused their progress near the end of the hallway. She was being very quiet, and he wished to make her feel secure. "We will carry on as normal, little love," he told her bringing her face up so their eyes were looking at one another. He took in their glossy appearance and knew that she was fighting her emotions. "I do not care, if you have to leave from your blasted office, I shall walk to it and escort you where ever you wish to go from there," he asserted.

Hermione graced him with a watery smile. "Thank you, Severus," she murmured.

The raven-haired wizard knew that he had taken a chance showing his affection for her in front of The Great Hall doors this morning, and that he was taking another bigger chance here now, in this hallway, but he wanted to make her feel safe. He leant forward and kissed her forehead before he escorted her into the populated parts of the school to get the day underway.

xox

The day progressed at its usual cracking pace and left Hermione little time to think about anything but work, and before she knew it, it was lunch time. As she walked into lunch she saw Severus talking to Pomona Sprout, the jolly little witch laughed heartily at something he said, and as he sat down next to Hermione, he smiled and innocently handed her a list of herbs and assorted flowers. "I required these from the green houses. Could you pick them up and take them back to our lab, remember to place a stasis spell on them won't you?"

Hermione looked at the list. It didn't seem to correspond with any potion she remembered. She read though it in confusion as Severus watched, and eventually he could stand it no longer and he leant over and whispered, "Problem, Mistress?"

She shot him a confused look, and noticed that he looked intensely smug. She scanned the list again.

Rosemary
Thyme
Ivy (plain, green-small leaf)
Tea rose (dark crimson)
Aconitum
Bay leaves
Forget-me-not (blue)
Asphodel (White)
Helenium (red)

Severus could see her thinking, going through all the possibilities, she was even murmuring to herself about all the different properties of each one. Severus watched as she pondered the problem all through lunch and he sat there smirking like the cat that got the canary while he ate his own. Finally, he pushed his plate away and turned to her. He moved closer under the guise of looking around behind him, and slyly his silky voice drawled in her ear, "Is my impertinent little lioness confused enough yet?"

Instantly she realised what he was doing, this was to be her so-called retribution for this morning. He was going to send her insane with curiosity to know what he wanted the herbs for. She narrowed her eyes, "Touché, my master," she whispered sweetly.

"Oh you better believe it, dearest little-miss-know-it-all. I shall see you after lessons," and he nodded to her, his eyes absolutely dancing, and he left.

Hermione had just started pondering what the list of plants was for again, when a voice next to her said, "He looks very pleased with himself," and she turned around to see Professor McGonagall watching Severus leaving.

Hermione smiled, "Oh he is, he thinks he's just given me a puzzle I can't work out."

"And is he right?" her elder questioned, surveying Hermione's intense expression.

"I hope not," she said hesitantly, "but this list of ingredients doesn't add up to any potion I know."

Looking over Hermione's shoulder, Minerva McGonagall laughed out loud. "That is because it isn't a potion, Hermione."

"What!" Hermione cried, now totally confused. "What is it then?" she demanded.

Her Head of House was positively vibrating with glee. "Oh, far be it from me to solve your puzzle for you, just remember we are going to a funeral tomorrow," she said significantly. She watched Hermione look back at the list still appearing confused. "I shall meet you out front at the end of next lesson," McGonagall reminded her, and laughed again. "Oh, very good Severus, very good," and she was still cackling as she walked off to her classroom.

Hermione was now very irritated. She hurried to catch Neville and walked to the greenhouses with him.

"Hey 'Mione," he said, as she caught up with him. "What's up?"

"Professor Snape has given me this list of plants I need to collect from you."

"I'll get them for you," he offered, looking at her list, but when she said nothing more, so he offered, "I guess you'll be using the strands of ivy for the base, so you'll need them good and strong and about two feet long?"

Hermione's brain went into overdrive. Base, she thought. Base for what, it can't be a potion? And why two feet long? Then she heard Neville say, "They'll have to be strong strands so there's enough support to weave the flowers through them." The penny suddenly dropped, she never would have worked it out. She turned back to Neville, "Yes that all sounds perfect, Nev, thanks." Then thought to herself, Severus Snape you think you've got me, don't you? I'll show you, you adorable sneak, and she smiled happily, especially when she realised that each of the flowers and herbs were to do with mourning and loyalty, as well… well if you knew their meaning in the language of the flowers. With her conundrum solved Hermione was now able to concentrate on pleasantries. "How's Luna?" she asked.

"Oh she's great, I can't wait until we're married and she can move here."

Not thinking anything of Neville's statement, Hermione asked, "When are you planning to get married?"

"'Bout three months, the invitations haven't gone out yet, but of course you're invited. Are you and Ron..."

Hermione cut him dead instantly, her voice turning cold. "Ronald Weasley… n-no, I… I've never been with him, and I have not had much to do with him or Harry for years."

Neville wasn't certain what to say, he hadn't known. "Oh I'm sorry, 'Mione, I thought it was strange that you weren't at Harry's wedding." He saw Hermione's expression shutter, and he looked chastened. "I'm sorry; I don't get all the news sometimes."

"Never mind, Neville," she encouraged. "I should have known you wouldn't know," Hermione told him as she watched as him collecting everything she needed, while she talked.

Once he had handed her the basket containing everything, she thanked him and left. The encounter had unsettled her far more than the events after breakfast had. She hurried back to Severus' private lab to try and calm herself down enough to assemble the flowers and herbs into the object Severus sought.

xox

"That's a pretty basket of flowers, my dear," Phineas said, as she tapped her wand on his portrait.

"Thank you, Headmaster Black. They're for a wreath for tomorrow," and she hurried inside and headed for the lab. If she was quick she would have it finished in time to meet Professor McGonagall.

Removing her jacket and donning her work apron, Hermione wove and plaited the ivy into a circle about two feet in diameter. Then added the other herbs, finally she threaded the flowers through the base, taking extra care to seal each Aconitum stem she used and not get the sap from it on her.

Finally, Hermione stood back and surveyed her work, something more was needed. She conjured some Ravenclaw blue and bronze ribbons and entwined them into the wreath, finishing them in a bow at the bottom, and then stood back pleased with her work.

She vanished the scraps and placed the finished wreath where Severus would see it as soon as he opened the door. Performing a stasis spell on it she headed into her room to freshen herself up before grabbing her cloak.

As she left Phineas called after her, "Have a nice afternoon, my dear."

"Thank you, Headmaster Black, I will," She was feeling much more relaxed now, having forgotten about Neville's accidental blunder, and she literally skipped off up the stairs remembering to jump over the seventh step, ecstatic to know that she had solved Severus' puzzle. Even if Neville and Minerva had given her some hints. She had solved it.

When she reached the front courtyard Professor McGonagall was waiting. She saw the wide smile on her face and said, "Well done, my dear. I knew it wouldn't take you long."

"Thank you, Minerva. I hope he is significantly impressed when he sees the finished product."

"You mean you have actually finished the wreath as well. Oh my, dear, I'm sure he will be beside himself," and she laughed heartily again, quietly knowing that Severus Snape had finally met his match. "Come on then, let's get out of here, I've been looking forward to this all day. Even with not having much time, it will give us a chance to catch up on things." They headed off towards the gate and then apparated into Hogsmeade, agreeing to meet outside Honeydukes.

When they arrived Professor McGonagall said, "I promised Albus I would get him some lemon sherbets, I'm certain he's addicted to them. I won't be a minute," and she patted Hermione's arm, "why don't you start looking around and I'll meet you."

Hermione smiled and headed for the 'Robes For All Occasions' shop next door. It wasn't long and Minerva was standing next to her again. Hermione had just been browsing but once her companion arrived, sales girls seemed to come from all directions; everybody knew the head of Gryffindor house.

Soon Minerva had organised three different sets of robes for Hermione to try on and was hurrying her into a change room. It was then that Hermione realised that the first robes had three quarter length sleeves, and her right hand instinctively covered her left forearm. Damn, how am I supposed to do this without anybody seeing my arm?

Hermione had hidden what was on her arm from everyone. She hated it, hated that she was now so disfigured. She only vaguely remembered her rescue and by the time Harry had claimed her, Draco had covered her with his cloak. It was strange… almost weird that Draco Malfoy was now the only person who knew what was carved into her forearm. A surge of anger curled through her for what felt like the millionth time at what Harry had said to Draco, but then her attention was drawn back to the present.

"Come on, Hermione," Minerva encouraged.

Hermione's face became frantic. "It's all right, Minerva," she picked the one with long sleeves, and said, "This will do, let's just go."

"Nonsense, my dear, I think this one is far more to your taste, and in any case you need to make sure it fits." Minerva took the long sleeved dress off her and handed her the one with shorter sleeves. "After all its an expensive item and it might need adjusting, and I'm here to tell you that once you have funeral robes you only change them as you get older and you can't fit into the smaller ones anymore," and she pushed the ones she'd chosen further into Hermione's hands.

With shaky hands Hermione changed into the robes. She tried unsuccessfully to cast a glamour over the word that ran almost the length of her arm from elbow to wrist, and she sighed. She had already known that the glamour wouldn't work, the word refused to be hidden, but she had tried anyway.

"How are you going?" the elder witch wanted to know. Hermione cringed and hid her forearm behind her back as she walked out of the change rooms, not thinking that that gave Minerva the perfect view of it in the mirror behind her.

"Oh, Hermione," she gasped. She turned sympathetic eyes to the younger witch and rubbing her other arm. "So that is why you were so reluctant, don't be concerned, dear. I'm sure it will fade with time. But it is a pity to see though… the things of war," she mused sadly.

Hermione was thankful that she reacted that way, but all she could think was Severus. "Please don't tell him. Please, I'll show him in my own good time, but please don't say anything," she pleaded, and was thankful that the professor actually seemed to know who she was anxious about knowing.

"Don't concern yourself dear, your secret is safe"

"I don't want him to think less of me."

"I would remind you Hermione that Severus has something equally as abhorrent to him on his own left forearm. If anyone will understand he will, my dear, and after all it wasn't gained by choice, now was it?"

"Oh thank you," and she hugged the other woman. "Thank you."

"You're perfectly welcome, my dear," Minerva said, releasing her and getting back to the task at hand. "Now let's see, I think you may have been right, try this one on, will you?"

Hermione smiled, Minerva had picked the ones with long sleeves, and she went back into the change room.

This time when she opened the door Minerva said, "Yes, I agree with you, and it's supposed to be quite chilly tomorrow anyway." She looked at the robes. "What do you think Severus will think?"

Hermione instantly blushed. "I don't know, I hope he'll like them."

"How could he not, you look lovely," Minerva told her.

Hermione looked at her reflection in the mirror, and the reflection promptly told her how wonderful she looked. She took this opinion with a grain of salt though, thinking that these mirrors were probably charmed to inflate the ego. The robes were black silk, and were pin-tucked around the waist to pull them in and show off her figure, this coupled with black pearled flowers embroidered on them with the black lace reaching up the neck line to her throat and edging the sleeves, they were beautiful and she hoped they were what Severus might have chosen for her.

xox

With their purchases finally under control, the professors started back towards Hogwarts, and Hermione was pleased about this. It had been a truly challenging day and all she wanted right now was to curl up in Severus' lap.

It was about this time that Severus was heading to his rooms after class. He opened the door after quipping with Phineas, who had teased him about his shadow being off enjoying herself without him and he headed straight for the lab.

Opening the door Severus saw the completed wreath, and his breath caught in his throat. Apart from the fact that she had solved his puzzle, she had done a wonderful job; it was beautiful. He flopped down into Hermione's desk chair and just sat there looking at her work. He didn't even move when he heard the front door open, but his eyes turned to the woman standing on the threshold of the lab.

"My smart, little lioness," he smiled. "Come and greet me," and he held out his arm with his hand extended to her.

Hermione almost flew forward. "Oh Severus, I'm so happy to see you. It has been a very complicated day."

Severus guided her to his lap and gathered her close. "That it has, love. That it has," and he sighed, planting soft kisses on her temple and forehead. It was then that he felt her hands brushing the front of his robes, and he watched as she tentatively took the lead and her fingers tangled themselves in his hair.

Seeming to regain some of her nerve, she smiled cheekily and pulled his head down to her. "Hello," she murmured.

"You are becoming braver, my little love, I like it," he chuckled, brushing his lips against her mouth, his voice far silkier than she had ever heard it.

This sent a surge of tingling sensations flowing through her, and her shiver increased as his mouth stopped teasing her lips and met them in a passionate kiss. Hermione was shocked by the violence of the feelings surging through her. She whimpered and clung to him tighter as she tried to press herself further into him.

This made Severus chuckle darkly again as he angled her head so he could better explore her mouth.

Not really knowing what she was doing or what the feelings she was experiencing were, it became all a bit overpowering. All Hermione knew was that she liked it and she allowed him control, groaning into their kiss.

After a time, Severus gentled the kiss, pulling her head gently to his chest, where she nestled in and sighed.

After a moment he felt her relaxing against him and he kissed the top of her head. "Is there anything else you need to do after dinner tonight?" he crooned softly.

"I'm not sure," she sighed. However, suddenly her eyes widened and she sat upright again. "Oh no, I still have homework to mark," she groaned.

"A romantic reply that was not," he chuckled, but added, "Remember unless you have them in the morning it can wait until the weekend."

"Oh that's right, I forgot, so I only need to mark first year potions. Good, that won't take long. But I guess I better get it done," and she reluctantly started climbing up off his lap. "How come you don't have homework to mark?" she asked, as he pulled her back down.

"Who says I don't, but I'm content sitting here cuddling you," he said. "The homework can wait for a while."

"Yes, Severus," she grinned and cuddled back up.

He kissed the top of her head again. "Now, that's better."

xox

Next day the morning progressed with only minor hiccups and soon it was after lunch, and time to get ready to go to the funeral. Hermione went to her rooms and was just getting dressed when she heard Severus arrive and slam something down on his desk. Even through the shut door she heard exactly what he thought of Misters Flint, Stone and Goyle. She wisely thought that she better just let him blow off steam and wait for him to calm down. When she heard his bedroom door bang she folded her cloak over her arm and came out of her room. She wandered across and placed herself in the chair by the fire to wait for him.

It wasn't long and he emerged again dressed in formal robes, the scowl on his face said that he hadn't calmed down that much. She rose when she saw him and he caught the movement in his peripheral vision and turned.

It was amazing. Hermione watched his face relax and calm as he saw her, and he bowed his head to her. "You look exquisite, Hermione," and he came over to kiss her tenderly.

She looked him up and down. "You look pretty special yourself," she enthused.

He smiled, "My lady," and taking her cloak off her he helped her on with it before offering his arm.

About half way to the front entrance he had calmed down enough to tell her what had happened. "I have to supervise detentions tonight," he said, in a rather peevish voice.

"Oh, that's a pity."

"That's not what I think."

"I know, I heard what you think, my dear sir. I believe you even invented some new words."

He chuckled but then continued in the same sullen tone. "Well I'm not very pleased with their newest idiocy. I was forced to deduct sixty points from my own house again, they are becoming abhorrent."

Hermione didn't ask what they'd done, and he didn't offer an explanation. They arrived at the entrance hall where Albus, Minerva, Hagrid and Madam Hooch were waiting for them.

"Only Professor Dumbledore could get away with wearing turquoise to a funeral," Hermione whispered, laughing softly.

Severus smirked at her in agreement, and turned towards the others as the headmaster said, "Severus, Hermione are you ready? Hagrid, I'm sure that can wait. Come friends we must be going."

Dumbledore then organised everyone around the Portkey. "Rolanda you stand over here next to Hagrid, Minerva you're fine, may I, my dear," he said, and placed Hermione deftly between himself and Severus.

Hermione glanced up at Severus who nodded.

"Every one set?" Albus asked, and he tapped the tea pot with his wand, and they were suddenly thrown out at the other end on a hill top overlooking the sea.

Hermione became aware that she had an arm tightly around her waist and looked up to find Severus smiling at her. He had pulled her close to stabilise her before they landed so she wouldn't fall. Being only small, travelling by Portkey could prove a little violent.

"Wow, what a beautiful location," Hermione enthused, looking around. The salt air nipped at them, and she noticed that they seemed to be on the edge of a moor somewhere. There were a lot of boulders and both white and pink heather dotting the landscape.

"Yes, very windswept," said Severus as he caught a mouthful of his own hair. The coffin was perched on the hill top and many in-extinguishable candles hovered around it the flames dancing merrily in the wind.

The party approached the small group of mourners, and Dumbledore reached into his robes extracting the shrunken wreath. A silent, "Engorgio" and it came back to its proper size, and he walked forward and placed it on the coffin.

Minerva leaned over and said, "Beautiful Hermione, well done, dear."

Hermione smiled.

The service was simple, but elegant and conducted by an ancient looking wizard who appeared even older then Dumbledore. At the ceremony's climax the coffin disappeared into the ground beside the obviously recently erected monument to Rosalind Vector with an accompaniment of soft sobs from several people, including Madam Hooch, as a mist seemed to descend around the new grave. The vapour then symbolically wafted skywards, leaving the flowers and candles to mark the spot.

Hermione had to say she felt extremely sorry for the elderly parents, losing two children one after the other, and she wondered if Madam Hooch and Professor Vector had been close friends, the flying instructor seemed very upset.

The whole scene made her reflect on her own parents who still didn't know she had gone back to Hogwarts. Perhaps it was time to try and make peace with them again, maybe write them a letter tonight telling them what she had decided. While she was thinking on this the service ended and they started back down the hill side.

xox

"You're quiet, are you all right?" Severus' silky voice said next to her. They were walking back to the Apparition point after Severus had assured Albus that they would not need to return by Portkey.

Hermione smiled half heartedly. "Yes I'm fine, but I think I need to write a letter tonight." Severus looked at her, his brow furrowed. "My parents don't actually know I've come back to Hogwarts yet," she informed him, her expression tight.

"Oh? Well maybe that is one little thing less to worry about once you've told them."

"I'll not guarantee that, but I have to try and clear the air. It's the right thing to do," and she held her head high. "Near the end of my seventh year they were downright against me remaining where I felt I belonged. That's one reason I eventually gave in and tried to attend a Muggle University. They never understood my gift or really accepted it. They even found themselves too busy to attend my graduation." She looked at him remembering her last conversation with her parents. "I'm not expecting them to be pleased with my decision, but I should tell them, even if they have pretty much told me that if I didn't decide to live like a Muggle they didn't want to know me," she said seriously.

Severus dropped her arm and placed his arm around her waist, and she leant in closer appreciating the extra contact. "Yes love, you should tell them, at least that way you will know you took the first step."

Hermione nodded, and Severus apparated them back to Hogwarts. "It's a pity about our plans for tonight," Hermione said as they started up the drive.

"Yes, but it's a small price to pay to get rid of two thorns in our side, albeit if Poppy Pomfrey is only gone temporarily. There'll be other opportunities, after all we only have one week until the holidays."

"That is true," Hermione agreed as they walked.