Chapter 25: Waiting for the Day
"Severus?" whispered Hermione, curled up next to him in bed a few mornings later.
He shifted and turned his head toward her.
"What happened to your father?" she asked.
He blinked at her groggily and sighed.
"You've wanted to ask for days," he observed.
"Well... yes," she admitted. "Once I realized you never said."
"He was murdered by Death Eaters," he said simply. "Shortly after I agreed to join Voldemort and began my Potions apprenticeship. Voldemort informed me of my father's death by sending me a bottled memory of the murder in a box with a silver bow."
Hermione felt tears welling up in her eyes.
"Why? Why did he do it?"
Severus was silent for a while. He rolled onto his back and closed his eyes.
"He'd seen my some of my past memories, felt my rage at my Muggle father. It was meant to be a reward for my compliance and service. He knew I that I was – averse – to 'getting blood on my hands' as he said. He told me that the only reason he had recruited such a coward as myself was my skill in Potions and my academic understanding of the Dark Arts. Voldemort was a powerful wizard, and was interested in any and all obscure Dark Magic. However, he lacked the patience, attention to detail, and theoretical knowledge to craft his own advanced Potions and spells. This critical flaw grew more pronounced after his first defeat and subsequent return to bodily form. He rarely developed any magic himself, and none at all after he returned."
Hermione frowned and said, "But didn't he invent the spell to fly unsupported?"
Severus looked at her again and slowly shook his head.
"He didn't invent it," said Hermione. "You did."
He looked away again.
"Severus! Why did you never tell me that spell was yours?"
"I'd rather not brag about teaching the Dark Lord how to fly or allowing him to take credit for it," said Severus. "It was a long-held wish of his, a task he assigned me from the beginning."
Hermione rolled onto her stomach and rested on her elbows, looking at him.
"I should have known it was your spell," she said. "Now I really must learn it, too."
He reached over and pushed some of her hair back from her face, before sitting up to kiss her.
"It will have to wait," he said. "We can't have you spotted flying unsupported around Britain, or anywhere else for that matter."
She sighed and said, "Yes, I suppose it would raise a lot of questions... could I not fly while Disillusioned?"
"You could, if you already knew how to do it," he said. "I cannot very well teach you if I cannot see you."
"Fine," she relented. "I suppose I'll have to wait."
He relaxed back against his pillows again, eyes closed.
"When are you going to make your appearance?" she asked.
"Next Monday," he said without opening his eyes.
Hermione laughed and said, "Oh... really?"
He looked at her.
"Indeed. I am prepared to move forward with the Apothecary and the next step will be to claim the money Dumbledore left me, return to wizarding society, and find a location to set up shop."
"So, you're planning to go to Gringott's under the Polyjuice Potion?" she asked. "What if they realize you're in disguise?"
"The vault is not in my name," he said. "It will be... problematic if I attempt to access it as myself."
"What did Dumbledore expect you to do, then?" she asked.
"He gave me they key and a vial of Polyjuice," said Severus. "The same potion which I assume he used to open the vault."
"Oh," she said. "I suppose he anticipated that you might need the money while in hiding."
"It is impossible to know what Albus Dumbledore truly anticipated about the future," said Severus.
"What do you mean?" asked Hermione, sensing he had a theory about the subject.
"I've long suspected that Albus possessed an usual manifestation of clairvoyant ability."
Hermione's eyes widened and she asked, "You think he was a Seer?"
"In a manner of speaking," said Severus. "He did not practice or study Divination in any traditional sense. If he had visions, they were never shared nor witnessed by anyone else. He had feelings and hunches that were more than mere intuition, less than prophecy, but rarely incorrect. Combined with his intellect, powerful magic, and shrewd understanding of the motivations of others, it could be said he had the gift of Foresight."
"Well, that would explain a lot," said Hermione.
They fell silent and Hermione heard his breathing slow again. She glanced at his still form, eyes closed, hands folded over his chest.
"Do you suppose Dumbledore knew we'd end up together?" she mused.
He exhaled through his nose and said, "Nothing about our situation would surprise me at this point."
Hermione giggled and said, "You're right. You know, Dumbledore himself could show up in my flat tomorrow and I wouldn't bat an eye."
"It's the least he could do," said Severus. "Come back and explain himself before I return from the dead."
Hermione did not tell Harry the date of Severus' planned return. She wanted his reactions to be as authentic as possible around Ginny and Ron. However, it was hard to keep it from him when she had nobody with whom she could share the news.
Severus spent a great deal of time walking around Diagon Alley in one disguise or another, looking for a potential space for his Apothecary.
"You know, we don't have to stay in London," said Hermione on Thursday evening, peering over her book from the other end of the sofa. "I don't mind distance Apparition. We could find a nice out-of-the-way spot to set up shop."
"Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade would be preferable," he said. "You assume we will be living over the shop, which will not necessarily be the case."
"Hmmm... I wouldn't mind moving to Hogsmeade," said Hermione. "But there's already an Apothecary."
"Is there?" asked Severus. "I was under the impression that Mr. Watters would be forced to admit his senility had advanced to such a stage that he was no longer fit to brew a cold remedy once I was gone."
"Perhaps he sold the business to someone else," Hermione said.
"Perhaps, indeed," said Severus thoughtfully.
"They couldn't go on without an Apothecary in town, could they?" asked Hermione.
The next day she came home to find Severus sitting at the kitchen table, which was covered in various bits of parchment, upon which Crookshanks had situated himself.
"What's all this?" she asked.
"Floor plans," he said.
"From where?" she asked.
He looked up and dislodged Crookshanks from his spot atop the parchments.
"The old Apothecary shop in Hogsmeade, which is still vacant, and a few options in London, including one in Diagon Alley."
"Ah," said Hermione with interest. She went to stand by his shoulder. "Can I see?"
He carefully spread the various parchments across the table and leaned back. After a few minutes of silent reading, Hermione crossed her arms and looked at him.
"What have you decided?"
"That rent is expensive, especially in Diagon Alley, where there are already four Apothecaries," he replied. "Which is why I am quite interested in the possibility of purchasing the old building in Hogsmeade."
"Hmmm... I'd like to see it," she said. "I imagine it will need a lot of work."
"Are we not wizards?" he asked in amusement.
"Indeed," she sighed, sitting down next to him. "It'll be nothing we can't handle with a bit of research, I'm sure. I'll look for something at the library tomorrow."
"Perhaps you should wait until we've seen all of our options," he said.
Hermione shrugged and said, "I'll curious about the subject anyway. Perhaps I'll make some changes around my flat."
"For the next occupant to enjoy?" he asked.
"I suppose..." she said, frowning. "Do you mean, because I won't be living there much longer?"
He inclined his head.
"It will be long enough," she said, sighing heavily. "I'm tired of living alone... or, pretending to, anyway. I think we shall have a whirlwind romance."
"If you like," he said, smirking. "Nobody will approve, whether it takes months or years."
"Nonsense," she said firmly, scooting closer to lean in for a kiss.
"How should we stage our reunion?" she asked. "We must work out the details."
"Must we?" he asked.
"Of course," she said. "We can't pull this off without a plan."
"Shall I storm into the Ministry and sweep you off your feet, then?" he asked.
"On what grounds?" she asked, laughing.
"There will likely be a tedious amount of paperwork to be done when one returns from the dead," he said. "In person, at the Ministry... you can contrive to bump into me while I'm there."
"Okay..." she said, still laughing a bit. "How do you plan to sweep me off my feet?"
"To your immense astonishment and confusion, I shall ask you to dinner," he said. "You will accept, if only to satisfy your curiosity and to be the first of your friends to speak with me."
"Oh... dinner, do you think? Perhaps we should start with lunch?" she asked.
"Hmm, perhaps," he said. "We shall leave it to fate."
"We won't be able to go anywhere private," she said.
"Precisely," he said. "Is it not the objective of this meeting to advertise our reunion to the world?"
"Erm, I suppose it is. It will just be rather... horrible... to be gawked at again. My celebrity status had just started to fade before I started time traveling."
She took his hand and squeezed it lightly.
"What shall I tell everyone about this meeting? For what purpose will you want to dine with me?"
He was silent for a moment, rubbing a thumb over the back of her hand.
"You shall tell them I apologized for my past unjust treatment of you and your friends, and that I asked about Potter. You will later set up a meeting between us."
"Right. Okay," she said, feeling suddenly emotional. Tears began to well up in her eyes as she held his hand, remembering her years at Hogwarts as she looked at the man she now loved dearly.
"After you and Potter have forgiven me, you will become something of a nuisance."
Hermione's tears dried as she gasped indignantly. He smirked.
"You will show up at my shop the day it opens and insist on taking me to lunch."
"Oh, will I?" she asked.
"Indeed. You shall feel obligated to pay me back for our previous date, and will pester me until I agree to it."
"How will we ever fall in love, if I'm so annoying?" she asked, smacking his arm playfully.
"Merlin only knows," he replied, earning himself a glare. "I think the plan is sufficiently developed for now."
"If you say so," she replied, shaking her head. "We'll need to think of something to, uh... speed the relationship along, though. As I said, I'm tired of pretending to be single when I'm not."
He raised his eyebrows and replied, "There's no need to tell anyone the details. After a while, simply make the announcement."
"Oh, right. I'll just say, 'By the way, I'm shagging Professor Snape,' and nobody is going to ask questions!"
"Let them ask," he said. "Then tell them to bugger off and mind their own business."
Hermione shook her head and said, "That's not going to work."
"What are they going to do?" he asked. "Torture it out of you? Pour Veritaserum down your throat? Learn Legilimency?"
"Of course not, Severus, but they will insist on knowing how it happened. If I don't tell them something believable, they might decide to confront you about it... and I'd rather not arouse their suspicions and create any ill will when I plan on marrying you as soon as possible."
"Very well," he said. "Have you reconsidered accepting my offer to masquerade as my Potions apprentice? There you will find a plausible catalyst for... unexpected intimacy."
"Hmm," Hermione hummed. She wanted to agree, but part of her still felt she belonged at the Ministry. It would be lovely to work with Severus every day, building a business together, but it was not what she had imagined for herself.
"I'm leaning in that direction," she said hesitantly. His gaze softened.
"You needn't make the decision yet," he reminded her. "We have time to come up with another story. The apprenticeship will be yours if and when you want it."
"Yes, and if I'm to become a Potions Mistress, I really should start down that path sooner rather than later," she said. "I was already older than most apprentices before I went back in time. If anyone knew my true age now, it would be rather embarrassing."
He frowned at her and said, "It is only a charade... you could put together a body of work that would impress any board within a month's time, and pass the exams with perfect scores."
Hermione grinned at him, but said, "Yes, I suppose I probably could do, but I can't have the title of Potions Mistress without first serving as an apprentice, and we can't very well document an apprenticeship that happened inside of a time loop while we were in hiding in Australia."
She thew up her hands and said, "I know it's irrational, but I can't help feeling cheated. You know and I know I've been an apprentice two times over to arguably the best Potions Master in the country, but none of it matters."
"I will not treat you as an apprentice," he assured her sincerely.
She smiled at him again and said, "You have me very nearly convinced. I do so want a reason to spent every day with you without sneaking around."
"Yet you remain... unconvinced?"
"I just feel, for some reason, that I should stay on at the Ministry for a while. I don't know why. My job is monotonous and unchallenging. I've come to hate nearly every minute I spend in that storage room. I doubt I'll get an opportunity to move up anytime soon. Gallus is the only person who talks to me."
Severus raised a brow and said, "You make a perfect case for your resignation."
Hermione was silent for a few moments.
"I hate leaving the Ministry before I've accomplished anything worthwhile. I had so many plans and dreams when I got the job... I don't like giving up on things."
She trailed off and then refocused her gaze on Severus.
"But it led me to Dumbledore's message, and you. Perhaps I'm just feeling – ah – anxious and sentimental about leaving, since without the job I wouldn't have you."
He stood and placed his hands on her shoulders, massaging lightly.
"An astute observation," he said, sounding somewhat amused. He leaned down to kiss her neck. She stood and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
"Everything is about to change," she said, kissing him. "At last."
He held her gaze, eyes half-closed as he looked down at her, his mouth pulled faintly upward in a relaxed manner. Hermione stared back, overwhelmed by a wave of happiness, exhilaration, and certainty about their future together. All of her frustration over living in hiding melted away and she remembered their first embrace, what seemed like a lifetime ago.
His face was familiar and welcoming to her, though perhaps to anyone else he would still appear stern and imposing with his dark, often impenetrable eyes, sharply angled brow that perfectly punctuated his wit, and the thin line of his mouth that exhibited a such subtle range of expression that most people would see nothing more than coldness in it.
"How are you going to make your reappearance from the dead?" she asked.
He placed his hands on her hips and pulled her gently toward him.
"That... is a surprise," he said.
"Severus! Tell me!"
He smirked and kissed her forehead.
"Your reaction must be as genuine as possible, my dear," he said. "You already know the day. Best not to tell you anything else."
"Fine," she said grumpily, leaning against him and resting her head on his chest.
They were surprised by another visit from Enid the next morning. She seemed just as anxious as Hermione felt, waiting for Monday to arrive. Thankfully, the bird stayed with Severus while Hermione cleaned her flat alone Sunday afternoon.
What was Severus planning? The question consumed her as she ate lunch, ran errands, browsed library shelves, and returned home to Crookshanks. Severus had insisted they stay apart that evening, without explaining why.
"Yes, I know," she said to Crookshanks, who was twining through her legs emitting impatient meows. Hermione placed his food on the floor and watched him playfully pounce on it.
"Silly boy," she said affectionately.
A knock at the door startled both of them. Hermione slowly walked to peer out of the peephole, knowing it was not Severus, but hoping it was all the same.
It was Ginny. Hermione opened the door.
"Hey, Hermione," said Ginny softly. "Can I come in?"
She held up a bottle of wine and smiled sheepishly.
"I brought this... and an apology."
Hermione opened the door wider and said, "I welcome both. I'm happy to see you, Ginny."
Ginny placed the wine on the table, and Hermione tried to inconspicuously scan her flat for anything that would hint at Severus' frequent presence there.
"Glasses still in the same place?" asked Ginny, moving to the cupboard.
"Yes," said Hermione, carefully pulling the door to her bedroom shut with wandless magic while Ginny was looking for wine glasses. As she poured the wine, Severus' library list floated up from the arm of the sofa and wedged itself between two tomes on the bookshelf.
"This should be good," Ginny said, handing her a glass of dark wine that looked more violet than red. "It's from Wendy and Gretchen. They gave it to Harry when he completed his training."
"Lucky me that Harry doesn't like wine," said Hermione, smiling.
"I wanted to share this with you before now," said Ginny, sighing and sitting down heavily. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I really am. Why couldn't I admit you were right?"
She gave Hermione another sheepish look.
"Ron's so happy with Irene. They're just... meant to be together, it seems."
Hermione nodded as she lowered her glass.
"I agree."
"So, you don't mind?"
Hermione laughed and said, "Why would I? What is there to mind?"
"Well... Irene's a friend. Perhaps not as close to you as she is to me, but I thought it might be hard to see them together all the time. Ron's still not forgiven you. I've told him he must, as has Irene... but, well – "
"It's Ron," finished Hermione, shaking her head. "I know."
"He was so blindsided by the breakup, Hermione," Ginny said quickly. "You know how he is when he feels he's been wronged."
"I know," said Hermione. "He'll come around."
"If he doesn't, he's going to lose Irene, too," said Ginny. "She's made it clear she plans to keep seeing you."
Hermione smiled and said, "I really do like Irene."
"In that case," said Ginny. "Shall we all go out this Friday? Just us witches... Ron and Harry need to sort themselves out, so we'll force them to be alone together."
"Sure," said Hermione. "I'd like that."
Hermione would spend the evening peppered with questions, if events unfolded anything like what she and Severus had planned.
"Great," said Ginny, falling silent for a moment.
"I've missed you a lot, Hermione," she said. "Have I told you I'm sorry?"
Hermione smiled and sipped her wine again.
"You were completely right," said Ginny. "I was wrong to say you thought Ron wasn't good enough for you. I do understand that you loved Ron, but had to end it."
Hermione nodded, and tears started to form in her eyes at Ginny's sincerity.
"You seem happier, Hermione. I didn't want to admit it before, but even the first time you two broke up it was true. You were – I dunno – more 'Hermione' without Ron. Don't take this the wrong way, but when you were with Ron you seemed... tired, or something."
Hermione frowned and set down her glass.
"I don't know if 'tired' is exactly the right word, but you're right... being with Ron was often exhausting. If we weren't out doing something in the evening, he wanted to be doing something together. I felt terrible on the nights I insisted on staying in and reading. He would mope around the flat for a while before leaving to visit Harry, or George, or go home and help his father tinker with Muggle technology."
Ginny drank her own wine, looking pensive.
"I did love him, Ginny. It was just... a mismatch of personalities. It took me far longer than it should have to realize it, but once I did there was no reason to prolong the inevitable."
Ginny hummed in agreement and finished her wine.
"Once, after he'd come out with us all one night, Neville asked me if you were all right," said Ginny. "He said you looked like a plant that needed to be watered."
Hermione laughed and asked, "So... I looked droopy? Merlin..."
Ginny gave her a serious look again.
"I'm sorry."
"You've said," Hermione reminded her.
"I should have noticed. Neville noticed."
Hermione shrugged and said, "Well, then he noticed long before I did."
"He had reason to," said Ginny, her eyes glinting with a secret. "He fancied you for a while."
Hermione nodded and said, "Oh... I know. I'm glad he's found Hannah."
They poured their second glasses and sat quietly for a few minutes, both lost in thought. After a while, Hermione cleared her throat.
"I've been thinking of leaving the Ministry," she said, causing Ginny to raise her eyebrows and sit up straighter.
"Why?" she asked. "I thought you wanted a career there. We all like to joke you'll be the youngest Minister for Magic in history."
Hermione smiled and shook her head.
"Yes, well... I've been thinking of changing direction. I really miss the challenge of research and academic work."
Ginny stared at her, looking mystified as she said, "But working for the Ministry was all you ever talked about. What are you thinking of pursuing?"
"Ah... Potions, actually," Hermione said.
Ginny involuntarily made a face of mild disgust.
"Potions? I thought your favorite subject was Charms."
Hermione smiled and said, "I never had a favorite subject. I liked them all equally... with the obvious exception of Divination. Er, and Care of Magical Creatures. Poor Hagrid..."
"Only because you were good at them all," said Ginny. She polished off her second glass of wine and set it aside, leaning with crossed arms on the table.
"Potions... really? You liked Potions – even with Snape making your life miserable because you were Harry's best friend?"
"Eh, it wasn't as bad as Harry made it out to be," Hermione said. "Most of the time."
Ginny giggled and said, "I think your memory is slipping. Everyone knew Snape was extra awful to your class because of Harry. If anyone even mentioned Harry's name during Potions class, Snape would dock house points for 'off-topic discussion'."
Hermione laughed and made a mental note to tease Severus about it later.
"Well, I do miss the Potions lab. It was the subject I found most challenging."
"Snape made sure it was challenging," agreed Ginny. "I think you're the only person who liked that it was so difficult."
"He didn't have to make it difficult, it's a difficult subject," said Hermione. "It is, by it's nature, tedious and experimental. He had to teach us to brew increasingly volatile and dangerous potions without getting us killed – no easy task."
"Hmmm," hummed Ginny. "So, what are you going to do? You must have a plan, you always do."
Hermione sighed and said, "I don't know. I just know I can't keep working for the Department of Mysteries. I've never been more bored in my life."
Ginny giggled again and said, "I would have thought the Department of Mysteries would hold your interest for at least a few years... what with being so mysterious and all."
Hermione laughed as well.
"That's the problem. They don't tell me anything. I'm not sure I want to put in the years it will take to move up and find out what they're so secretive about."
Ginny nodded and said, "Understandable. Well, let me know if you need anything. I don't know anyone with connections in the field of Potions... but I suppose you could ask Slughorn for help. He liked you."
Hermione rolled her eyes and said, "Sure, but not as much as he liked Harry."
Ginny grinned and said, "Naturally. He was so disappointed when Harry's interest in Potions disappeared."
"I heard he has the photo you sent him of the team framed in his office," said Hermione.
Ginny laughed and shook her head.
"I suppose I'm... flattered. He wrote Harry to ask for one, signed, of course."
A silence stretched between them.
"Yes, old Slughorn would be your best bet for help finding an apprenticeship, I think," said Ginny. "He'd be... delighted!"
"Perhaps you're right," said Hermione with a sigh. "Though I do not look forward to asking him for a favor."
"Oh, come on, Hermione. You risked your life to get rid of Voldemort. You deserve to take advantage of whatever influence you have over Slughorn, if it means advancing in the field you prefer."
Ginny gave her a stern look.
"Yes, I suppose so," said Hermione vaguely. She was glad Severus would appear soon and relieve her of the burden of schmoozing with Horace Slughorn.
"Well," said Ginny after a pause, "the wine's gone."
She held up the bottle and shook it sadly before setting it down with a clunk on the table. Crookshanks choose that moment to make himself known, and jumped up on the table top with a fluttery meow.
"Crooks, you're so needy," said Ginny, petting him affectionately. After a minute she mused, "I think I shall get myself a cat. Harry says he doesn't like them, but I've always wanted one. Mum always said 'no'."
Hermione petted Crookshanks as well and said, "Harry's never had a pet other than Hedwig, and he loved her dearly. I think he would become attached to any pet you choose."
"I think you're right, Hermione," said Ginny, still petting the purring Crookshanks. "You usually are."
The witches said goodbye a short while later. Hermione was enormously thankful for the distraction Ginny had provided from her anxious thoughts as she waited for Monday to arrive.
She gave in to a dose of Dreamless Sleep that evening, after a long bath and a few hours restless tossing and turning in her empty bed, wondering what the morning would bring.