Much thanks to my editor, Gwen McCormick, and to my dear friend DUJ. All mistakes are mine. Obviously, I am not JKR and am making nothing from this.

Thankyouthankyouthankyou. I do appreciate all the kind words or encouragement.

The Course of True Love

Chapter 25

Friday, September 17, 1999

Hermione flopped onto the sofa in the staffroom. Every strand of hair on her head seemed to stand out in a different direction. She sluggishly turned her head to stare zombie-eyed at Severus. "Those first years! They're absolutely horrible!" she cried.

Albus Dumbledore stepped into the room followed by Ron. "I tell you, it is absolutely remarkable how quickly she's learning. In fact, she's catching on even faster than Minerva!" Then he caught sight of his apprentice. "Oh, my."

"You look awful!" Ron exclaimed. "Hermione, what happened?"

"First year Gryffindors and Slytherins," she whined.

"That would explain it," Dumbledore mumbled into his beard.

"Ron, they were horrid," Hermione told him. She turned to Snape. "Oh, Severus, now I know why you were always such a grouch."

Ron sat down beside her, rubbing her back. "That bad, huh?"

"I've told you. You cannot be their friend, Hermione," Severus said gently. "You are a woman, an adult. They are children."

"Severus is right," Narcissa declared as she helped Dumbledore to tea and biscuits. "Tea anyone? No?" She settled back into a chair with a cup of her own. "Listen to Severus, Hermione. He started teaching at a young age as well. What were you, Severus? Twenty-two?"

The Potions Master's face softened at the memory, and a smile blossomed when he saw that he had the young witch's attention. "Twenty-one," he replied. "Horace retired, and I took his place as both potions master and Head of House."

"Poor Severus had a rough time of it, too," Albus added. "I'd suggest you spend some time with him. He can give you some pointers there." He sat down and took a long sip of his tea.

"I'd appreciate that," Hermione told Severus. "If you could spare the time."

"Yeah, about spare time," Ron interjected. "I was wondering why you asked me to Hogwarts." He grinned. "Not that I need an excuse to come see my girl."

Hermione ducked her head in embarrassment, and she re-ordered her hair. "Well, Professor Lupin, Dora, is sponsoring a Dueling Club, and she needs volunteers." She gestured to Dumbledore. "Albus has already spoken to Harry, and we're hoping you could help, too."

"You want us to put on a demonstration? To get interest stirred up?" Ron asked.

"Something like that," Dumbledore said, dunking a biscuit in his tea. "Harry readily agreed, and the Aurors Department have been very accommodating with his work schedule."

"I can take off just about any time," Ron said. "George is really flexible."

Hermione frowned. "I thought you and Harry were official Aurors now," she said with confusion.

He looked at her in disbelief. "No," he said. "Remember I told you back in May that I quit to work with George."

"I'm sorry, Ron," she sighed her answer. "I don't remember."

"You don't remember the Ministry Anniversary party?" Ron asked incredulously. He shot a jealous glare at Snape. "Funny, because I remember it right bloody well."

"Yes, the First Anniversary Victory Party was most memorable," Dumbledore remarked.

"What I remember is catching the old bat-" He jerked a thumb at the older wizard. "-putting the moves on my girl!"

"Ronald!" Hermione gasped. "That's not true at all! Severus is always a perfect gentleman. You're acting like a jealous schoolboy, and you're very much off the mark."

"Yeah, well, I might be jealous," Ron agreed, "but I know what I saw Hermione."

She shook her head. "Ron, you owe Severus an apology."

"Like hell I do!" he snapped back. "If nothing else, Mrs. Malfoy there ought to know what kind of man she's marrying! Perving after young girls!"

"That's a lie, Weasley," Severus' declared. His voice was low and deadly.

"Did you just call me a liar?" Ron shot to his feet, blood rushing to his face. "I'm no liar!"

"Then you are gravely mistaken," Snape told him. Slowly, he rose to his feet, facing the younger wizard, but his temper was contained. "Either way, I will not be slandered in this manner."

Suddenly, Albus Dumbledore stood, filling the room with power. "Enough!" he roared. "Mr. Weasley, perhaps this discussion should be tabled until Monday afternoon when you are feeling better." The politely spoken words were really an order. "Miss Granger, would you escort Mr. Weasley to the gate?" Dumbledore asked. "I'll take the next class for you."

Hermione sighed. "Of course," she replied courteously. "Ron, we can talk on the way to the gate."

Ron mumbled a sorry apology to everyone, omitting Snape in an obvious display of disrespect. Glaring at the dark haired wizard, he nodded to Dumbledore and stormed from the room.

Albus shook his head. "Don't mind the boy, Severus," he said. "He's jealous of you and the time you spend with Miss Granger. Don't give it another moment's thought." He nodded to the History of Magic professor. "Or you, Mrs. Malfoy. Now, I suddenly find myself having to rush off to class. Third year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws are quiet a lovely combination, I find."

The potions master inhaled deeply and slowly released the breath. "If you'll excuse me, Cissy, I have things to do as well," he muttered.

"Severus, wait! I want to talk to you," Narcissa said.

"Not now, Cissy!" he shouted. He stopped and faced her, his normally pale face flushed with angry red. "You don't think Hermione believes him, do you? That I-"

"That you care for her?" Narcissa asked with a tiny smile. "Or that you perv after young girls?"

Severus gave her a deadly glare. He could open his mouth to verbally eviscerate her, but she held up her hands stopping him. "It's complete and utter thestral feathers!"

Urging him to sit back down, she handed him a cup of tea and a biscuit. "However," she remarked, daring his anger again, "it has not gone unnoticed that you care for Miss Granger, who, although young, is an adult witch."

"Not gone unnoticed?" he echoed. "By whom?"

"Well, I wasn't entirely sure," she remarked with slight amusement, "until you just confirmed it, and I believe Minerva has her suspicions." Narcissa took a sip of her tea while he groaned. "The important thing for you to know is," she added, "that the young woman certainly cares for you, but if you don't do something, you're going to lose her."

"I don't have her! In case you've forgotten, Cissy, she's engaged," he replied sourly. "And I did do something. I sent her flowers," he added, "which you pointed out to her, so apparently she just isn't interested."

"Severus, she's a Gryffindor. She doesn't understand subtleties," Narcissa explained gently. "You'll have to be blunt."

"I don't know what to do," he admitted.

"Sweet Merlin!" She sighed in frustration. "How did you ever get sorted into Slytherin," she mumbled under her breath. "Severus," she explained gently, "Sunday is Hermione's birthday."

Severus retorted sharply, "I am aware of that."

"Then you're equally aware of the fact that Dumbledore just banished Weasley from Hogwarts until Monday." She arched a perfectly groomed brow. "The Weasley boy won't be here for her birthday, but you will. Take advantage of it! All's fair in love and war, you know."

Sunday, September 19, 1999

Watching her moving towards him down the hill from the castle, Severus smiled to himself in the dark. He was waiting for her by the Black Lake. The waxing moon rose behind him over the water, and it lit up her shining face. Her hair was pulled up in an elegant bun.

Hermione was nearly out of breath, and her cheeks were pink with exercise when she met him. Taking a moment to catch her breath, she smiled and said, "Sorry I took so long."

"I don't mind waiting," he answered, his eyes shining. "Hermione, I asked you to meet me here because I wanted to apologize."

"What? Why?" She shook her head. "Severus, you don't owe me an apology."

"It's your birthday, and because of me, you're missing a celebratory evening out," he explained. "Dumbledore told Weasley not return until Monday, so due to our-" He paused. "-disagreement, the boy isn't able to be here for your birthday." He swallowed hard as her warm brown eyes searched his face. "I thought," he added hesitantly, "that perhaps you would allow me to make it up to you."

She bit her lip and looked up at him while he held his breath. "Severus," she said. Her voice was quiet, soft, and tender. "Nothing that happened was your fault. And even if you were partially to blame, that doesn't excuse Ron's accusing you of - what he did."

"No, it doesn't," he agreed.

"In fact," she said, holding out a roll of parchment, "he's written you a formal apology. It was the only way I'd agree not to completely break off my friendship with him."

Severus took the proffered scroll and shoved it into his cloak pocket. "Well, I suppose that's something," he muttered.

"It is," Hermione told him. She smiled, her lovely white teeth shining in the moonlight. She hooked her arm through his. "I believe you've offered to help me celebrate my birthday, and if the offer still stands, I'm taking you up on it."

"This way then." He bowed, offered his arm, and led her around the edge of the lake out of the line of sight of the castle. Then, releasing her arm, he removed his cloak and spread it out on the grass under the arching limbs of a willow tree.

"It's beautiful out tonight," she said. "The moon's reflection in the black lake and the dark forest beyond – it looks like a postcard."

"Everything is beautiful tonight," he dared to say. "Join me?"

"What's this?" she laughed. "Oh, Severus, how wonderful! A moonlit picnic! What a romantic gesture!"

Severus shrugged and began opening the basket, setting out the foods. He glanced look up at her. Backlit by the moon's cool light, she seemed ethereal, delicate, and she was smiling at him.

"Champagne and chocolate covered strawberries!" Hermione gasped. She took a big bite of strawberry and washed it down with a long drink from the Champagne flute. "Mmm," she sighed. "This is wonderful, Severus. Thank you so much."

Automatically, Severus refilled her glass. He smiled to himself as he leaned back against the tree and sipped his Champagne. He'd rarely felt this happy in his life. She's beautiful, magnificent, he thought. She'll be one of those rare women who remain lovely as she ages.

"A knut for your thoughts," she quipped reaching for another strawberry.

Again, he refilled her glass. "I was just admiring how the moonlight silvers your hair." His eyes held hers. "You are a very lovely woman, Hermione."

"Thank you, Severus," she replied as she demurely hid her blush in her glass. "But I think you ought to have your eyes examined." She laughed at herself, but her eyes flickered back up to his.

He smiled. Now's the moment, he thought. Let your voice drop. Use that tone Minerva says should be illegal. "You are a very desirable woman, Hermione," he purred. "You should be lavished with love and made never to forget that fact."

Hermione held her breath for a moment. Then, she shivered. "You, but, I, I've never, I mean, no one has ever-" She closed her mouth, unable to complete a coherent thought.

Severus leaned forward and re-filled her glass. "I hope one day I find a woman half as beautiful as you."

"But you have! You have found one," she blurted out. "What about Narcissa Malfoy?"

"Cissy?"

"Oh, Severus, have I ruined things for you and her? I didn't mean to," she babbled.

"You've ruined nothing," he assured her. "Narcissa is like a sister to me." Seeing the look of skepticism on her face, he explained. "She was the one who took care of me and the younger Slytherins when the Marauders bullied and harassed us."

"So, you aren't engaged?"

He took a deep breath. "No."

"But you gave her a ring?"

"It was already hers," he insisted. "I merely retrieved it from the Ministry."

"Oh. But I thought," she said in confusion. "Ron-" Ron told me you were engaged. Did he lie on purpose? Or did he just repeat gossip? She stood up quickly, reaching out for the tree to steady her. Is it the Champagne or the shock that has me so unsteady?

I understand, Hermione." He nodded gravely and stood too. You still belong to another man, he thought sadly. "I am out of line."

"Well, but-" She bit her bottom lip, unsure of what to do or say. "I want to thank you. For this. It's the most romantic –" She broke off. "Severus, I think I should go now."

Quickly he gathered the remains of their feast, and without another word, he escorted back to her room.