AN: Hello all, thank you for wonderful reviews, they were very much appreciated. I'm still responding to them. Hope everyone had a great 4th of July this past week.
Special thanks to TabiPrewett for giving his a once over for me and getting everything back so quickly. You're awesome, sweetie!
Chapter 26
He never got around to showing her what he'd planned on that night. In fact, he found an excuse to get away to be on his own for the evening. Of course, she thought he was only leaving her to her thoughts, again proving his skill in evasion and manipulation.
The following weeks had them both so busy they didn't have time to think about anything. With the funding they had set up at Gringotts, they went about leasing the shop they found in Diagon Alley. Severus found himself smirking several times, noticing that Hermione didn't once look towards the bookstore longingly, or at all for that matter. She was too busy and too distracted to think of literature.
He'd expected one look at least, and wasn't sure if he was proud of her discipline, or disappointed that he'd been wrong about her not being able to control herself. He was glad that she had the control, but hated being wrong about anything.
After they acquired most of their brewing supplies, they set up the brewing lab in a downstairs space of the shop. They made sure to set up several cauldrons with plenty of prep space next to them. They could work on multiple potions at once, which was important since they'd need several batches of the more common potions. This way too, they wouldn't spend months working on the vials they'd sell.
After having the lab set up just the way they wanted they went about setting up the main part of the shop. They set up the display cases where the register would sit for people to pay for their purchases. After a bit of arguing they finally had decided which potions would go on which one of the shelves they had arranged in neat order against the walls.
Hermione finally conceded to many of Severus' thoughts, he was the Potion Master after all, and understood how volatile some could be if two vials broke and mixed together on accident. Hermione tried to point out that they could just charmed the vials not to break.
However, Severus argued that if the idiots couldn't keep from dropping their potions, it would only increase their own sales in the end. He did finally concede with Hermione on this one point of adding the unbreakable spell to the vials, that way it wouldn't break inside the store, which would keep all inside safe if more than one potion broke and mixed together. However, he did place a spell on the door to remove the unbreakable charm, that way once it was purchased and taken outside it could break if the person was clumsy enough to drop it.
It seemed like a good compromise, even if Hermione did roll her eyes at him at it when he wasn't looking. Or at least when she thought he wasn't looking. He spotted it, but simply shrugged it off. It wasn't the first time she'd done so, and he was sure it wouldn't be the last time either. Besides, he'd done the same thing to her several times, he was just better at hiding it than she was.
Having spent time not only purchasing supplies, but finding out just how limited some ingredients were, they decided to add one final thing to their display cases. Since they had a hard time finding some of the more rare ingredients, they thought this would be an added bonus to their store since Severus could harvest many of these ingredients himself. He was very skilled at harvesting and any remaining ingredients they didn't need to use for brewing their own potions, they could sell, making their little store a little more profitable.
Hermione was only allowed to watch him gather these ingredients, and even that was a hard-won battle. She'd argued that she did need to learn, and he'd argued back that her apprenticeship wasn't to start yet for another year at least. However, she also argued that it wouldn't hurt for her to still learn before it started in case he needed help in the future. Who knew how big of demand they would have later, plus, if he'd was tied up with something and he couldn't get away to harvest the needed the ingredients, then she would know how to gather them herself.
The argument had gone on and on, even after they'd called it a day and proceeded to go back to her flat to work on other details. She'd made dinner as he kept his argument up that it was too dangerous for her to be there. That not only were some of the plants poisonous and good at defending themselves, but some of the areas they were gathered were full of their own hazards too, from both flora and fauna.
Finally, as she dished up both of their dinners, she pointed out that she would be exposed to it when her apprenticeship started and at least if she started to learn the dangers now, it would make it safer for her later. He couldn't keep her from learning to harvest simply because of safety issues, she'd been in many threatening situations before, and would be again. She survived Voldemort, how could a plant be any worse than that.
A deep breath later and a scowl on his face, he finally conceded when she refused to give in. Though only if she swore to do exactly what he said, meaning standing wherever he told her to stand and not touching anything while standing there. Hermione refrained from reminding him that she wasn't an idiot, though she really wanted too, and agreed to his conditions.
Their first trip to gather what they needed, she saw how stiff he held himself, showing just how uncertain and nervous he was about her being there. It had her smiling slightly to see his concern for her, but she quickly wiped it away before he spotted it and accused her of not paying attention.
She surprised him by doing things before he even told her too. Giving certain plants a wide berth due to understanding how vicious they could be. He was mentally smirking at it too, surprised or not, he was still proud of her knowledge and vigilance.
His stiffness didn't ease as he worked, and he was always fully aware of not only what was around them, but of her and what she was doing or where she was standing. She didn't say a single word, something he appreciated due to the level concentration his task took, but she watched carefully. Not only staying aware of everything around her, but mentally cataloging what he was cutting and how he was doing it.
Halfway through cutting one of his ingredients, he saw her pull her wand and before he could say a word to stop her, she waved it, silently casting a spell. However, the snapping of a twig silenced him again from saying a word about her spell. Then, he spotted a hungry looking animal sniffing about only seconds later and saw her wand was still handy for defense, but the animal walked on by as if it didn't know they were there at all.
Getting the delicate plant into its special container to not only to keep it safe, but fresh too, he paused before cutting again to look at her. "What did you do?" He asked, curious since her using magic should have made the plant he had been cutting wilt and die immediately. It didn't like magic at all anywhere near it, which was why it was so hard to gather in the first place.
Hermione met his curious gaze. "It's a spell I learned before my hunt with the boys and used many times. I had to alter it a bit before we used it back then, but it works wonderfully. We had to stay hidden and couldn't risk sending out spells for defense just because something stumbled upon us. It's like a notice-me-not spell, but slightly altered to keep anyone or anything from realizing we're there at all. It masks our scent, our movements, and even our voices if they're low enough. It's like we aren't even here, though it doesn't affect anything surrounding us, even plant life. So, I knew it was safe to use while you were cutting, even though that particular plant is sensitive to magic."
Severus wasn't often impressed, but he was this time. "I may have to have you teach me that spell. It would make gathering much easier and less dangerous with where we'd have to go to get the cuttings sometimes."
Hermione smiled at the word 'we'. "Sure." She said softly, feeling that flutter again inside her. Though this time it couldn't be pawned off as just lust. However, she still pushed it away to be examined later.
She went back to observing him cutting different plants. Some simply because they ran across them and it would keep them from having to buy them for their shop. He seemed to finally loosen up more as they worked. Not carrying himself so stiffly or looking as unsure about her being there. Seeing this, she smiled to herself and kept her silence as they moved through the forest.
The following trips were easier on them both, and he even let her help gather a few things. Easier items they ran across, less delicate or less dangerous to maneuver around and deal with.
After they had all their supplies stored safely and under stasis spells to keep them fresh, they started in on brewing. He kept a watchful eye on her, even with potions that he knew she was more than proficient at brewing. Offering tips to help speed things along or to help the brewing go smoother. Something he'd never really done before when he'd been just her teacher.
She found it was nice working with him like this. He didn't bark at her, at least not as much as he had in the past. He treated her as a colleague instead of as an idiotic student, and the difference was immense. She was careful and methodical with what she did, watching him as he worked on his own potions, if she was at a stopping point in her own.
She kept notes as she worked, marking down what she did, or what she saw him do that was different. Any kind of advice or pointers he gave her were written down too. She kept track of what they brewed and how many batches, and how many vials came from those batches. Some of the vials were to go on the shelves to sell and others were for their personal stores.
She set up a first aid kit of sorts in their brewing lab. She filled the kit with healing potions, pain potions, pepper-up potions, salves and balms for burns or cuts. She even threw in some muggle ointments and bandages, just in case, though he found her doing so amusing. There was no need of them with the potions, but she was thorough.
As the days passed them by, Hermione finally decided it was time to add in a small sofa or cot for when they couldn't leave their brews. That way they could get some rest between stages.
Severus was frowning at the odd piece of furniture she brought down, shrunken to make it easier on her to carry. "What is that exactly?" He asked after she set it up.
She gave him a smile. "This is called a futon."
His brow rose at it. "A what? It looks like a sofa, somewhat."
Hermione laughed softly. "Exactly, but it will turn into a bed easily if we need it too."
He simply shook his head after she demonstrated what it would do. "Did you forget how to transfigure furniture already?" Amusement lacing his voice as she stretched out on it to see how comfortable it was.
She silently chuckled. "No, I did not. However, you'll appreciate it and what it can do easily when you're exhausted and too drained to properly use magic."
Hermione held out a hand. "Come, try it out with me. It's actually quite comfortable."
Since all of the potions they were working on at the moment were at a point that they needed to simmer, he decided to do as she asked. Moving towards her he sat down and then stretched his long frame out on the surprisingly soft mattress.
Hearing him sigh in contentment, she smirked. "See I told you that you'd appreciate it." She said, her head resting on one of the pillows she'd placed on it.
His lips curving, he shifted so that he was propped up and leaning over her. "Hmm...I think I just might appreciate it. Assuming of course, it can hold up against the wear and tear it'll be getting."
Hermione met his gaze as her eyebrows rose. "Plan on sleeping on it often?"
His lips curved even more. "Sleep wasn't exactly what I had in mind, witch. You said I should try it out with you, and I think I just might have to do that." He said before capturing her lips with his.
A while later, Hermione was resting her head on his naked shoulder, both feeling satisfied and relaxed as they got their breathing under control that she felt the odd fluttering again. She knew it couldn't just be lust since he'd just gotten done shagging her stupid. This was something else.
What the something else could be had her frowning to herself. No, she thought. This is not about to all messy and emotional on me. This is just about physical releases along with friendship, nothing more. She told herself. He isn't one to want more and I don't need to become some clingy or sappy chit over nothing, but a few shags.
"Is there any particular reason you've gone stiff and silent?" Severus asked, his arm around her, stroking her back lightly.
Hermione swallowed, silently cursing while trying to come up with a viable excuse for the tense set of her frame. "I wasn't speaking before, how have I suddenly gone silent?" She asked, forcing her body to relax again.
Severus debated how to answer her, not fooled by her loosened posture. "There is a difference in the silence. You're thinking hard about something, so what is it?"
Hermione wasn't sure how he could tell one kind of silence from another, but quickly racked her brain for a suitable excuse. "For one, I was thinking that the futon seems to be up for anything we might use it for."
Severus chuckled lightly. "It does. Now, what else is on your mind that took your relaxed state from you?"
Hermione bit her lower lip. "I was just...thinking about all that we still had to do before we could open the shop." Hoping he bought her excuse.
He didn't, but what she said made him aware of her not wanting to share her real thoughts. Instead of prodding her, he simply hummed and left her to her thoughts. He knew he had several of his own that he didn't share with her, so he let her keep her own. She'd tell him when she was ready to, or simply work them out on her own and move on from them.
When he didn't push her further, Hermione's brain instantly went back to the odd fluttering. It's nothing, she told herself again. Nothing. Although she had a very bad feeling that she might just be proved wrong in her thoughts one day soon if she wasn't careful.
As the days progressed, Hermione noticed more and more of the odd feelings she was having as she spent her time with Severus. Each time she tried to pawn it off as something else, but some of the excuses she gave herself sounded weak even in her own mind.
At a loss, though still feeling twitchy and panicky over it all, she made her excuses and quickly escaped to see Ginny. As soon as the redhead opened the door to the burrow, words came pouring out of Hermione's mouth.
"I think I'm in trouble." The bushy brunette said.
Ginny quickly pulled her inside and up to her room. Once she had silencing charms placed to keep their privacy, she turned to her dear friend. "Oh god, you're pregnant with a baby dungeon bat, aren't you?"
Seeing all the color drain from Hermione's face as the word "what?" squeaked from her lips, Ginny went on. "I knew it. It was only a matter of time, especially if you started shagging him back at Hogwarts. How on Earth are we going to break the news to Harry? He's going to flip when he learns of it."
Hermione's mouth opened and closed several times in shock, but Ginny kept speaking. "Good lord, do you have any idea what mum will have to say about this? There will be lectures about contraceptive spells that should have been used, and then the plans for the baby shower will start, followed by her demanding to know when you two will be getting married. Although, I'm sure she'll threaten Snape's manly bits if he even thinks of backing out of marrying you after getting you pregnant. Then...she'll be planning the whole bleeding event after that, without any help or input from you or the groom. There will be flowers shoved at us to decide on, though what we say won't matter. Cakes to be eaten and picked from, and dresses...Merlin help us, Mione...she'll insist on making the dresses and...and...they'll be hideous. Have you seen what she has made in the past for weddings? It's been awful. Why do you think Fleur got mad and demanded that she'd pick them out herself for her wedding to Bill?"
Ginny pause for a moment as Hermione stared at her friend in blank confusion, before the redhead asked what popped into her mind next. "Wait...does Snape know yet? How did he take it? I'm not helping you break the news if that is why you came here. I'm your friend and you're like my sister...but I refuse to be anywhere near the two of you when there might be any mention of baby Snape's. Sorry, love. I might get hexed by him due to laughing my fanny off at the stunned look on his face and I...no, not going to do it."
Hermione pulled herself from her stupor. "No! Oh, god...no, I'm not...I'm not pregnant. Where did you get the idea that I was pregnant anyway?"
Ginny frowned. "You said you were in trouble. What else would I think after hearing that?"
Hermione shook her head. "That wasn't what I meant, though...I'm glad to see you would have my back if I needed help telling Severus about my...possible...er...future...whatever's."
Ginny sat down on her bed, staring at Hermione with a confused look on her face. "So, what are you in trouble over? Did you..." Ginny's eyes grew wide. "Oh god, tell me you didn't cheat on him. I'm not going to help you break that news either, just so you know. I've seen how fast and skilled he is with a wand. I'll be hexed just by association with how pissed he's going to be."
Hermione was torn between huffing in annoyance and smirking in amusement at where all Ginny's mind jumped to. "No, now if you hush, I'll tell you."
Ginny waved for her to go on, and Hermione ran her hands through her hair. "I think...I think we hit complicated in our...er...relationship."
Brows rising, Ginny waited, but Hermione didn't go on. "That's it?" She finally asked when the silence stretched to several minutes. "That's why you're in trouble? You two hit complicated? What in the world does that even mean?"
Hermione did huff in annoyance this time and started pacing around the small room. "It means...I think...I think I really like him."
Ginny rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. "I'd hope so if you're shagging him."
Hermione sighed. "No, I mean...really like him."
"Yes, and you're really shagging him." At Hermione's glare, Ginny tilted her head before speaking again. "So, what's the problem exactly?" Ginny asked.
Hermione threw up her hands. "I'm talking about this being more than just us sleeping together. I think...I think...I don't know what I think."
Ginny shook her head. "How is it that someone as smart as you can be this daft?"
Hermione growled and flopped down on the bed next to Ginny. "I don't know. Now are you going to give me a hand in figuring this out, or are you just going to insult me?"
Ginny smirked. "Mione, this is easy. I'm a bit shocked you haven't figured this out." At Hermione's bland look, Ginny chuckled. "It starts with an L."
"Lecture?" Hermione said hesitantly, though she knew that wasn't what Ginny was referring to.
Ginny laughed again. "Since its Snape, I'm not surprised that is the first thing you think of."
Hermione glared before her lips curved. "He doesn't lecture."
At Ginny's disbelieving look, Hermione laughed softly before going on. "Really, he doesn't. We've got a good thing going at the shop. He treats me like a partner, not some idiotic child that can't be trusted without constant adult supervision. He listens to me and shows me how to brew better without being a patronizing jerk while doing so. It's nice working with him."
Ginny nodded. "How is it away from the shop? When you're just Snape and Hermione?"
Hermione smiled. "It's good there too. We talk about books we've read, or whatever holds our interest. He's really smart, Gin. I...I don't have to dumb the conversation down just so he can keep up and...I really like that."
Ginny smirked. "I'm assuming you're not implying that I'm stupid." At Hermione's mild chuckle, Ginny knew that wasn't what Hermione meant and went on. "Mione...if you like life with him at work, and you like life with him at home...what's the problem? Where does the trouble you were referring to come into play?"
Hermione bit her lip. "This was supposed to be easy and not complicated."
Ginny sighed. "Mione, nothing about life is easy or uncomplicated. Why would you think sleeping with a man on a regular basis would be that way?"
Hermione looked down at her hands. "It hasn't been a problem in the past. I was able to keep things separate before. I was able to have a lover and keep the emotional aspect out of it."
Ginny shook her head. "Hermione, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that if you could keep your emotions out of it, then you must not have had any real serious ones to begin with for the blokes you were sleeping with. You can't be with a man day in and day out for this long and not feel something for him eventually. Even boredom is something. If you felt nothing...you obviously didn't care for the guy at all, which means...you really shouldn't have been shagging him in the first place."
Hermione pondered that for a moment. "I cared for the guys, we were friends after all. It just never became more than that. It was just about the sex, and that is what it was supposed to be with Severus...but...now I'm not so sure."
Ginny stood up and faced Hermione. "First off, I can't believe you'd be in it for just the sex with anyone. Second of all, it's impossible to be that close to someone and not feel something. Friends or not, either it would grow and become more, or you'd find that you grew apart. If you didn't feel anything either way, chances are you didn't care about him at all to begin with. This has obviously happened with Snape. You've grown closer and it's become more. Now the question is, what are you going to do about it? End it before it becomes even more messy and complicated? Or see where it goes?"
Hermione chewed on her lower lip a moment before speaking. "He didn't want more than just sex either when this started. How can I suddenly change the rules on him?"
Ginny smirked. "Personally...I'm curious were it could go with him. He's never passed up an opportunity to be a patronizing jerk before and if he's done so with you...I think that alone speaks volumes on what he might actually want. However, as for the changing of the rules...we're women, Mione. We always change the rules and most men just learn to accept it. Hell, you'd be surprised to find out how many men actually already expect it to happen from the get go."
Hermione frowned at that. "So, what you're saying is..."
Ginny chuckled. "Go for it. L word and all. Though, I'd pick a different one than lecture."
Hermione laughed gently, even as her mind started to turn over the implications of what Ginny had said. It would behoove her to think on this a bit more before speaking to Severus about any kind of changes in their rules. She didn't want things to end with him just yet if it turned out he wasn't okay with her changing things.
AN: OK everyone, there you go. Mione has the L word on her mind, and it's not lecture. I'll be honest, I giggled a lot writing this chapter. Anyhow, let me know what you thought about it. Take care.