The New Old Hermione
a post-war fanfic by Cerys Dewar
Chapter Twenty
As the winter gave way to the Spring, Severus and Hermione restored order to their lives and their classrooms, with the one difference that Hermione treated Severus with a distant respect that dissapointed him.
From any other apprentice and colleague, Severus would've appreciated the silence and efficiency, and utter lack of emotion, but in the woman he know knew that he loved, it was unbearable. He kept his old mask of severity and deadly calm, but inside he longed for their old companionship, and felt intensely jealous of Sirius Black.
Hermione's more mature figure and features, as well as the new defiance and spirit she now hid behind, had caught Black's eye, and Severus felt as if he was forever tripping over this intruder. After Ron's funeral, Sirius had tagged along with Harry whenever he came to see Hermione, and a few weeks ago had begun to come calling without Harry. Hermione was still dedicated to her work, and was good at everything she set herself to do, but when she wasn't working she could always been found with her "Shadow", as Draco teasingly called Sirius.
Hermione always blushed when Draco teased her about Sirius, and whenever Severus saw the color rising in her face he wanted to create a new Veil and throw Sirius in it, preferrably in small pieces. But he didn't say anything of this to Hermione, because he knew she wouldn't listen.
When she'd returned from St. Mungo's, he had tried to apologize to her and tell her how he felt about her, but when he'd brought it up, she had interrupted him by apologizing for acting like a silly girl and promising that it wouldn't happen again. Whenever they weren't working, Hermione always managed to have someone else around, as if to shut him out. She was forever visiting Harry, or Minerva, or Neville and Luna, or Draco, or Sirius. Severus growled with that last thought.
The year-end ball was approaching, another one of those stupid balls that Dumbledore had been so fond of, and Minerva had suggested to Severus that he ask Hermione to accompany him. Severus decided that he would ask her tonight. The ball was weeks away, but he knew that if he didn't ask her soon, someone else would. Someone like Sirius Black.
As they tidied up the Potions lab after brewing a new supply of potions for the hospital wing, Severus sat down beside her as she labelled the vials. She continued what she was doing without a glance his way.
"I'm nearly finished, Professor."
"Please, call me Severus, Hermione. While I appreciate the efficiency you've displayed over the past few weeks, I would still like to be treated as if I am your friend."
"In order to be treated as such, you would have to be my friend."
"Are you still holding a grudge against me? I tried to apologize; I'll even apologize now if that's what you want."
"No. You don't have to apologize. Please, just leave me be. I know all too well how you feel. I won't trouble you any more when I finish my apprenticeship."
"Hermione, what I said was wrong."
She turned to face him, and he was surprised and hurt to see the distaste written all over her expression.
"Yes, it was, but it was the truth."
She rose and made her way towards the door, but Severus darted forward and blocked her way. He gritted his teeth and braced himself to win her over if he had to literally bend over backwards.
"I am not leaving until I have explained myself, Hermione, whether you forgive me or not. I am sorry for what I said and I want to make it right, and I also want you to attend the year end ball with me."
Hermione scowled up at him defiantly and put her hand on his shoulder to keep him at arm's length.
"I've already been asked by someone else, Severus."