Preparations

My dearest Severus,

Apologies this has come to you by owl mail. Minerva went away for the day and was long gone by the time I finally woke. The elves inform me that she will return by nightfall and I will pass her your letter regarding the floo then.

I hope you got home safely and that you slept well. I admit I struggled to sleep for a while after I reached my rooms despite how tired I felt. My mind wouldn't stop turning over everything that happened.

It was such a wonderful night and it was such a treat to spend it with someone who appreciated the films as much as I did. You are a unique man, Severus, and I feel very honoured that you see me as someone worthy of your time. I never thought, especially in recent years, that I would find a friend like you. I meant what I said last night; you have become so very dear to me.

I know I said that I needed a friend after our kiss but I need you to know that it was not unwelcome. I only wish that I were in better place to appreciate your attentions. I want to get to know you properly, as the man you are now. I know that I am beginning to do so but there is so much more I want to know.

Dearest Severus, please promise me that we can always be open and honest with each other. I care for you and I think you care for me. One day I believe we could be something far more than friends but I want to know you entirely. We've both been through too much to risk being hurt again.

I hope I'm not completely misguided in my thoughts. I know we called it the responsibility of the champagne but I hope it was more. I feel as though I am sending the most terrible mixed signals, which was not my intention. As luck would have it, my confidante is now the person I need to talk about as well; do you think you can endure it?

Please write to me soon and please let us meet again. I need to see you.

With affection,

Hermione

Severus folded the letter as he came to the end of it once more, the paper thinning in places where he had read and re-read it. It had been four days since the turn of the year and many letters had passed between them since, the majority of them sent via the newly connected floo network. The volume of Hermione's letters had surpassed the capacity of the space he had given them in his desk and they now had their own locked box that rested on his nightstand.

The letter in his hand, regardless of those that came after, was the one he read the most. . Her words gave him hope that he had not felt in more years than he dared to count. He had responded within moments of first reading it, assuring her that his feelings and wishes matched hers. They had reached an understanding that had left him feeling far more at ease in their communications.

They had not met in person since the night she spoke of in her letter, Minerva having taken her attention the day after she returned. Soon after, duty had won out for Hermione and she had dedicated herself to her lesson planning. She had written to him throughout the days though, and he had replied almost immediately to each one, the access to the floo making their exchanges more like conversations than letters.

Still he had longed for her company and he had invited her to the house, offering to help her better plan her lessons. He didn't think either one of them truly believed the pretence. He had been awake since before dawn anticipating her arrival despite their mutual agreement that she would come via the floo after lunch. He had worked as best he could, his orders low for the potions he made, but he did not have the space to expand into a more profitable business in the little house he had grown up in. The work had kept his attention for a while but he cursed that he had no more to do when he still found himself with several hours to spare.

When he found himself contemplating rearranging the bookcases, he had dragged himself to his room and had pulled out her letters to read once more, selecting his favourites. It was the one sent on New Years Day though that he knew word for word without having to read it.

Finally, the clock took pity on him and he returned the letter to the box, checking his appearance in the mirror before he headed downstairs to await her arrival. The clock had just struck two when the flames changed colour in the fireplace and he heard the familiar whoosh of the network activating. Whilst he had grown used to a letter appearing with only a few dots of soot marring the envelope, the sight of Hermione tumbling out onto the hearth rug had him casting a wandless cleaning spell as he helped her to her feet.

"Ugh! I hate floo travel," she groaned before she collected herself and smiled up at him shyly. "But it's worth it. Hello."

"Hello," said Severus, taking her bag from her as she brushed the remaining soot off her clothes. "And welcome, at least you made it inside this time."

"I certainly did," she said, taking in the room around her. "Goodness, you weren't exaggerating about the books. I could lose myself in here for a good few weeks and not be done."

"You're more than welcome to try," said Severus, seeing her smile brighten.

"Are you sure you could put up with me for that long?" she said, her hand straying to his shoulder as she brushed off the soot that had landed on his elegant black coat.

"I'm more than willing to try," he said, "Make yourself at home. Would you like some tea?"

"Tea sounds wonderful," said Hermione, stepping back and settling herself down on the sofa. "You really don't mind helping me with all this planning do you?"

"Not at all," said Severus, setting her bag down beside the coffee table. "I won't be a moment."

Hermione watched him leave, eager to follow and explore, but she knew it was a great privilege to be invited into the house by someone as private as the man she was coming to know. She had no wish to impose on him further. She contented herself instead with the room she was in, taking in the book-lined walls, the shelves sagging beneath the weight of some of them. The tiny window let in very little light and she imagined he would always need to have the lamps lit, even in the summer. It was grey and wholly unloved but still, there were little marks that showed his presence and the deeper parts of his personality. Her eyes fell on his desk, wondering if that was where he sat when he wrote to her and if he glanced at the fireplace opposite as often as she did in anticipation of a reply.

She tore her thoughts from such musings and focused once more on the bookshelves. Her fingers itched to run along the spines of some of the books on display, hoping that she might find the courage to ask to borrow one or two at some point. She had little doubt her friend guarded his books as a dragon guarded its clutch. She reached down and began pulling her books from her bag, glad she thought to use the invisible extension charm as it allowed her to carry all the books she needed without requiring a carriage half the size of the room. She selected only her notebook and the textbooks for her sixth and seventh years, their requirements far more in need of Severus' attention than the lower years.

She heard the rattle of the tea tray and looked up with a smile as her companion returned, setting it down on the table before her before he hovered above the wingback chair across the room.

"I don't bite you know," she said, patting the seat beside her. "And you spent a good few hours sat next to me in a dark theatre not too long ago. Easier to work when you can see the pages as well."

Severus changed his direction and settled next to her, the small space leaving them in close proximity, but neither of them minded as he set about preparing their tea.

"Thank you for offering to help me today," said Hermione, reaching for one of the textbooks and clutching it in her hands. "Doesn't seem five minutes since I learned all this and now I have to teach it. I keep second guessing myself."

"You are far more capable than you realise," said Severus. "But if any guidance from me helps buoy your confidence then I am more than happy to help. Besides, it gave me a chance to spend time with you."

"You don't need an excuse to spend time with me," said Hermione, resting her hand briefly against his knee. "If you want to see me, just send me word and I'll come to you if Minerva isn't keeping me busy. Even when the students come back, unless I have marking or some evening sessions to cover the school, then we can meet."

Severus smiled as he covered her hand with his. "I know I do not need a reason," he said, "But you may need to indulge me making excuses for a while longer. I am not well practiced in inviting pretty young women to spend time with me."

"Then make as many excuses as you wish if it means I get to see you," replied Hermione. "Seeing as I hefted every book on the potions curriculum here today, we can at least manage a couple of hours putting right my dreadful lesson plans. I thought we'd start with the seventh years and go from there if you're happy with that."

"Advanced Potions Making, oh how I've missed it," said Severus, his dour tone made a lie of as he picked up another copy of the book. "Which potion were you hoping to begin with?"

It was proof of both their studious natures that they soon fell deep into their work, Hermione outlining her plans for the classes and Severus offering improvements and corrections wherever he thought necessary.. Hermione was certain that if they had attempt such a conversation several weeks before they would have spent the majority of the time butting heads. Now their closeness only fostered cooperation and beneficial debate, Severus bowing to her choices even when they didn't quite match his own.

It was only the sound of the letterbox rattling that dragged them from their discussion, Severus gently moving aside several books in order to get to his feet.

"Did you set your wards against me alone?" asked Hermione as he headed to the door. "I bounced off the bloody things when I tried to put my letter through the door the other day."

"They're designed to repel those with magic," called Severus from the hallway. "This is a muggle street so I can't have everyone sent flying by them. I am therefore required to receive the usual junk foisted through everyone's door."

"There's the grumpy man I remember," said Hermione, frowning as he failed to either respond or reappear. "Severus? Oh come on now dear, I was joking. Severus? Severus, are you alright?"

She pushed aside her books and got to her feet, pulling her wand from her pocket as she headed towards the hallway. She rounded the door, a hex already on her lips but she stilled her hand as she saw nothing but the hallway, the door and her friend leaning back against the wall, a letter open in his hand.

"Severus?" she said, seeing the pinched and desolate expression on his face. "My darling, what's wrong?"

"A change in situation," said Severus. "One I've been expecting but I didn't anticipate it would feel like this. You may read it if you like."

Hermione took the letter he held out to her, quickly reading the words before her and her heart broke as she realised the contents. "I'm so sorry," she said. "Is there anything to be done?"

"Plenty," said Severus. "But nothing that will change the outcome."

Hermione let the letter fall from her hand onto the threadbare rug before she turned to him and reached up to wrap her arms around him. She felt him flinch at the unexpected touch but then he relaxed slightly, his arms coming around her waist and holding onto her as though she were the only tangible thing left in the world.