Chapter 36: The Revelations Begin
A few more weeks passed, during which Hermione resisted the urge to give Ginny or Irene any further insight into her relationship with Severus. Ron was still stubbornly treating Severus as if he didn't exist on Friday nights, and the rest of them could not question Hermione about her feelings while he was present.
Finally, on the Thursday before Muggle Night, Ginny sent Hermione a letter.
Hermione Jean Granger -
You must tell me what's going on with Severus. Don't think I didn't see his arm around you after you two left last night... Harry and I weren't far behind you! Harry seems to have no opinion on the matter, which is mad, if you ask me. Irene has not told Ron anything, by the way, since he is still being such a berk about Severus joining our group on Fridays. At least he seems to like Gallus now.
Seriously, I want details – are we friends or not? Unless you reply to this before 7 o'clock, I'll be coming over to chat this evening. If you're not home, expect to hear me knocking on the door of the Apothecary!
Much love,
Ginny
Hermione gave Ginny's owl a treat and it flew out of the kitchen window. Toffee barked at it as if to say, "Don't leave, new friend!"
"I have to go back to my flat tonight," Hermione yelled down the hall. Severus was organizing his storeroom with the door open.
"For what reason?" he called back.
"Ginny's just sent me a letter demanding a heart to heart about you," she said, grinning to herself. "She's threatened to show up on our doorstep here if I'm not home when she arrives."
Severs appeared in the doorway.
"Perhaps you should let her come here," he said.
Hermione shook her head and said, "No, not yet. I'll go meet her... but what should I tell her this time?"
"Tell her you've set a wedding date, if you wish," he said, smirking.
"Oh, thank you for that helpful suggestion," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. "I suppose I'll say you're still ignoring my advances in the name of propriety."
"Am I?" he asked. "This is hardly the whirlwind romance I was promised."
"Well, that's how it really happened," said Hermione. "Out of curiosity, what would you have done if I had gotten up the nerve to lean over and kiss you one of those times you were standing beside me, watching me brew?"
"I'd have put your potion under stasis, removed your protective work attire, tossed you over my shoulder, and taken you to bed," he said.
Hermione laughed and shook her head.
"Safety first," she said. "But I really want to know – what would have happened?"
He stared at her with a glint in his eye for a moment, then quickly strode across the kitchen and grabbed her roughly around the waist.
"This," he said, before devouring her mouth, bending her backwards and then picking her up and setting her on the kitchen counter.
"Your potion likely would have bubbled over and burned through the floor," he said when he took a breath. He then continued to kiss her senseless. Hermione's eyes were closed, and she could easily imagine she was back on the kitchen counter of their tiny flat in Australia.
She moaned, remembering how many times she had desperately wished he would do exactly this, and how often she had tried to convince herself to take the leap and make the first move.
"Miss Willie would have come knocking when the ceiling below started to drip," he said, as Hermione tried to unbutton her shirt without pulling her mouth away from his. He pulled her shirt halfway down her arms and kissed her bare shoulders before wandering lower with his tongue and lips.
"So I'd have cast a Dampening Charm on the door and Vanished the mess before I asked you..."
He paused, his lips millimeters from her mouth.
"Is this really what you want?"
Hermione responded by sliding off the counter into his arms and kissing him desperately.
"Yes, of course it was," she said breathlessly. "Exactly this."
His arm tightened around her and he unexpectedly Apparated them upstairs to the bedroom. With Hermione's legs still wrapped around him, he leaned over the edge of the bed until her back touched it and whispered in her ear.
"Then I'd tell you I wasn't interested if you were going to marry Weasley," he said, letting her fall back on the bed, then straightening up and looking seriously down at her.
"And I'd tell you not to ruin the moment with that idiot's name," she said.
He began removing his clothing, watching her intently as he did so. Hermione wriggled impatiently out of her shirt and trousers. He was already leaning over her, and he placed a large, warm hand on her hip, smirking as he vanished her pants.
"Then," he said after another long kiss. "Even though you wanted me to take you against the kitchen wall without further ado, I'd take you to bed."
He ran a hand slowly down her body and then traced his fingers lightly back up to her face.
"It would not have been a desperate fuck in a smelly, makeshift potions lab," he said, an intense look in his eyes as he held her gaze. Hermione sighed and closed her eyes as he dropped his hand to the bed and lowered his body against hers. Tears slid from her lashes and ran down her cheeks as she writhed and gasped under him, hearing his words and feeling his touch as if it were the first time, and they were back in that horrid little flat together.
"Severus, I – "
She never finished her thought as they quickly found themselves past the point of words.
"I love you," she finally was able to say, as he moved to lean on one arm, his legs still entwined with hers.
"Were you crying?" he asked, his brow creasing.
"Yes, but only because it was so perfect," she said, wiping her eyes. "I wish it had really happened that way."
"I have no regrets," said Severus simply.
"We could have enjoyed our time together in hiding so much more... thoroughly," she said, grinning.
"We shall have a lifetime to make up for the delay in gratification," he replied.
Hermione giggled and said, "I suppose you're right."
She sobered and ran a hand over his shoulder and arm.
"I don't regret anything, either. I was crying because I was imagining how overwhelming and wonderful that all would have been if I didn't yet know how you truly felt."
He shifted and placed a hand behind her head, delivering another deep kiss before saying, "As I told you then, I felt far more for you than was appropriate. By the time you started talking in detail about your life in the future and your troubles with Weasley, I already loved you... and wanted to throttle the boy for standing in my way."
"Severus," Hermione said, her eyes welling up again. "I only started talking about Ron once I knew I was truly done with him. I wanted you to know I was ready to move on... to you."
"I could not convince myself you meant it," he said. "I feared that once you were reunited, you would take him back. A woman does not have a go at a relationship with a man she's already refused to marry unless she has changed her mind. I refused to put myself through the misery of losing you to Weasley."
Hermione smiled and said, "How could you ever believe such a thing was possible?"
"I watched an intelligent, caring witch inexplicably marry a dangerous, arrogant, reckless, self-absorbed, vindictive tosser. Weasley is far less detestable than James Potter. Such a thing is possible," he concluded.
"I'm glad you decided I was worth the risk," said Hermione. "What was your plan, to wait until we ended the loop and see if I really did leave him for good?"
"The plan was to let you live your life however you pleased, with or without Weasley, and to go away and scrape together a life of my own," he said.
"Severus, that would have broken my heart," she said.
"It seemed the right thing to do," he replied.
"Well, obviously it wasn't!" she said, shaking her head as she sat up and kissed him.
"Obviously," he said, pulling her back down to the bed.
"If we're going to have dinner before I leave..." Hermione trailed off, accepting another kiss.
"There's plenty of time," he murmured.
They later ate a quick meal together before Hermione left for her flat in London. Hermione was immensely surprised to be greeted by Enid, who was perched on the back of a kitchen chair, when she arrived. The flat was clean and felt stale – Hermione was rarely there anymore.
"What are you doing here?" she asked. Enid cocked her head from one side to the other.
"It would be best if you went home to Severus for the evening," Hermione told her.
The bird seemed unconcerned with Hermione's wishes, and remained happily perched in the kitchen while Hermione changed into sweatpants and a warm pullover. She turned the heat up a bit, making a mental note to reset it when she left.
A five minutes after seven, there was a knock at the door. Out of habit, Hermione peered through the peephole at Ginny before she opened the door.
"Oh, good, you're here!" said Ginny cheerfully.
"Here I am," said Hermione. Enid chirped a greeting from the kitchen.
"Whoa! That's Snape's phoenix," said Ginny.
"Yes, that would be Enid," said Hermione.
"Why is she here?" asked Ginny suspiciously, peering around the flat as if to discover Severus hiding behind the curtains.
"I don't know," said Hermione. "I suppose she likes me. She was here when I got home."
"Interesting," said Ginny. "Very interesting. I could swear I saw her flying above the pitch at practice earlier."
"Really?" asked Hermione. "That's odd... but she does frequently disappear from the shop."
Ginny set her bag on the counter and pulled out the wine she had brought.
"I come in peace," she said, smiling. "Please talk to me."
She soon had the glasses poured and was sitting on the couch, waiting for Hermione to join her.
"I feel like the bird is spying on us," she whispered as Hermione sat down.
"Perhaps she is," Hermione mused.
"Anyway," said Ginny, after staring at Enid for a moment. "What have you and Snape been up to?"
"Brewing and selling potions, mainly," Hermione said.
"Merlin's crusty earwax, Hermione, don't make me interrogate you," Ginny whined.
"Fine," said Hermione. "There have been... some developments."
"Oh, I knew it!" Ginny exclaimed. Then, she scowled and asked, "Have you said something about it to Harry already? He's been acting so... I dunno... mysteriously smug, I suppose. If you've told him to keep me in the dark, Hermione, I don't think I'll be able to forgive you."
"Harry doesn't know what I'm about to tell you," Hermione assured her.
Ginny relaxed and sipped her wine. When Hermione didn't immediately continue speaking, she motioned with her hand and said impatiently, "Go on!"
"I don't know where to start," Hermione stalled.
"How about with the last Quidditch game," Ginny said. "You know, the one where you were practically hanging onto his arm the whole time?"
"Yes, well... that's all that happened that day, I'm afraid," said Hermione. "He helped me learn to cast a Repelling Charm without a wand."
Ginny rolled her eyes and said, "Quite the romantic encounter."
"It was sweet," Hermione said. "He did most of the repelling for me since I find it exhausting to maintain without a wand."
"Okay, fine. After that?"
"We worked on a new potion that week," said Hermione, giggling at Ginny's dramatic fake snore in response.
"What about last Friday when he couldn't keep his hands off you outside the bar?" Ginny asked. "Did anything happen before that?"
Hermione shook her head and then said, "You make it sound like he was groping me in public! He grabbed my shoulder to keep me from getting run over by that wizard who was talking to himself."
"Uh-huh," said Ginny. "Was that it? Did he later grope you in private?"
"I don't like the word 'grope'," Hermione mused. "It sounds so... vulgar."
"But did he?" Ginny asked.
"No," said Hermione firmly.
Ginny opened her mouth to speak, but Hermione continued, "However, something did happen this week."
Ginny sat up and held her empty glass in her lap, looking at Hermione with rapt attention.
"We were brewing another trial run of the new potion," Hermione began, and Ginny struggled to listen patiently. Her leg twitched a few times as Hermione paused.
"I asked him to help me break open the Spiny Stone-Edged Beetle – they have notoriously tough exoskeletons – and he saw that I was trying to use a knife instead of the pick tool to puncture it."
"Hermione – "
"So he grabbed my hand before I could do anything, and he said, 'You're about to lose a finger, Hermione'. He was standing so close to me that I could feel his breath on my face..."
Ginny's eyes sparkled in anticipation.
"So I did it," said Hermione. "I kissed him."
"What?! You kissed him?" Ginny asked. "What did he do?"
"Er – well, he pulled the knife out of my hand and dropped it on the table."
Ginny looked disappointed and said, "Oh... so he didn't... approve?"
"Oh, he was still kissing me," said Hermione. "I should have said that... I'm glad at least one of us had the presence of mind to put down the knife."
"Hermione! This is insane!" cried Ginny. "How are you so calm right now?"
Hermione shrugged and said, "I guess I'm still in shock. It's all so overwhelming."
"What is? What did he say?"
"Nothing," said Hermione. "Talking wasn't exactly a priority."
"Oh. So have you..."
"Talked? Yes, a lot, actually," Hermione said.
"No, have you... you know."
"Did we shag yet?" Hermione asked.
Enid squawked loudly, as if to scold Hermione for oversharing.
"I think I'd better not say," Hermione said, grinning.
"Uh-huh... well, what did you talk about, when you got around to it?" Ginny asked.
"He told me he's glad I did not marry Ron," she said.
"Is that all?" Ginny asked sarcastically.
"Of course not," Hermione said.
"That's all you're going to tell me," Ginny realized aloud.
Hermione simply smiled and said, "I've told you a lot already, haven't I?"
"Not really," Ginny said.
Hermione put a hand on her chest and said, "I can tell you that this week has been... incredible."
"Oh – ho!" said Ginny. "Have you two gotten any actual work done?"
"Of course," Hermione said. "We've just taken a lot of... breaks."
"Do you find these breaks are relaxing?" asked Ginny, smirking.
"Not at all," Hermione said. "They are stimulating to the highest degree."
Ginny burst out laughing and said, "Hermione, come on. Just say that Snape is a good shag."
"It's more than that," Hermione said, somewhat dreamily.
"How so?" asked Ginny.
"He wants me to consider moving to Hogsmeade by the end of the month," Hermione said, wondering if what she'd just said was a mistake, but she had a strong feeling it was the time to speed things up.
"Move to Hogsmeade? You mean, move in with him?" asked Ginny, clapping a hand over her mouth in astonishment. "So soon?"
"Yes," said Hermione. "And I want to do it."
"But, Hermione, you're his apprentice. Won't that undermine your education?"
"I'm hoping you won't tell anyone for a while," Hermione said pointedly. "However, it is not unusual for a potions apprentice to be given living quarters above or nearby the potions lab. Advanced brewing requires attention outside of normal working hours, and it's customary for the master teacher to assist with living expenses. Severus has an extra room above the Apothecary."
"There will still be rumors," said Ginny.
Hermione shrugged and said, "I don't care."
Ginny seemed to ponder Hermione's newest revelation, staring at Enid in silence, her hand still over her mouth.
"You're going to marry him, aren't you?" she asked, still staring at Enid. "You're going to marry Professor Snape."
"He's not a professor anymore," Hermione reminded her. "And he's not 'Professor Snape', Ginny. He's Severus, who is a completely different person."
"Perhaps," said Ginny. "Still, this is bonkers."
"I agree," said Hermione, laughing a little. "It sounds mad... but I just know."
"Just know what?" Ginny asked.
"I just know this is it – that he is 'the one' or whatever you want to call it," said Hermione. "I just know this is something I'd never find with anyone else."
Ginny nodded.
"Irene said the same thing about Ron," she said. "I never thought I'd hear sensible Hermione Granger say such a thing, though."
"I never expected to, either," said Hermione.
Ginny stayed only a little while longer, saying she'd promised Harry to be home at a decent hour. He had to be up extra early to prepare for a training session he was leading.
"I'm glad we got to talk," Ginny said, hugging Hermione goodbye. "I won't say a word, not even to Harry."
"Thanks, Ginny. I didn't know it, but I needed this."
Ginny nodded and said, "You wouldn't have been able to hide it for long, anyway. No offense, Hermione, but hiding how you feel isn't one of your many talents."
Hermione laughed and said, "You may be right."
A few weeks after her conversation with Ginny, Hermione officially moved into the Apothecary with Severus. Of course, she told her friends she had been given the spare room upstairs, with it's own bathroom and sitting room. Whether any of them believed her was impossible to say.
She invited Ginny, Harry, Irene, and Ron over to celebrate the move and show them the guest suite she had carefully arranged to look as if someone actually lived there. They had tea and cake together while Severus closed up the shop downstairs.
"So what's it like living with Snape?" asked Ron.
"It's nice," said Hermione. "Hogsmeade is quiet, but it feels like home. I sometimes get nostalgic about our school days when I'm walking through town. Living above the potions lab is highly convenient."
"Do you miss London?" asked Irene.
"It's just a quick Apparition away," Hermione said.
"Ron and I are thinking of moving out of the city in a year or two," said Irene. "We want a place of our own."
There was a sharp rap on the door and everyone but Hermione jumped. She waved her hand at the door and it creaked open to reveal Severus standing just outside.
"The shop is closed. Shall we move this celebration to the Hog's Head?" he asked.
"Yes, let's go," said Hermione, looking around at her friends, who began to stand up and gather their outer layers in preparation for the cold fall breeze that was rattling the windows.
Halloween was just a couple of days away, and Hogsmeade was charmingly decorated with jack-o-lanterns, autumn wreaths, and twinkling orange fairy lights. The Hog's Head featured an enormous wreath of black raven's feathers and the entrance was flanked by two towers of skulls with dancing blue flames lighting the eye sockets.
"Those are your flames, Hermione," said Ron, as they passed through into the tavern.
"They're not mine," she said. "I didn't invent them, you know."
"Still, they came in handy for us," Ron said. "They were great for making... distractions."
"Ron, I've already told Severus it was me that set his robes on fire," said Hermione, seeing where Ron was going with the conservation.
"Oh... really?" Ron asked, looking disappointed.
"Indeed," said Severus sternly.
They enjoyed a hearty meal and a few drinks together, and for the first time Hermione did not feel anxious for Severus as he interacted with her friends. Irene and Harry were particularly comfortable around him now. Ginny seemed to resist speaking to him for fear she would say something revealing about his relationship with Hermione. At times, Hermione wished she would slip up and get on with it, at others she was grateful for her friend's caution.
Her friends walked back to the Apothecary afterward and warmed up by the fire in Severus' sitting room.
"This place is amazing!" Harry remarked, upon entering. "Really nice spell work."
"As much as I would like to accept that as a compliment, the work is not my own," Severus replied. "It is as I found it."
Hermione sat down next to Severus on the sofa, while her friends took the chairs and love seat. She leaned back and realized Severus had his arm over the back of the couch behind her. Settling into the cushions, she smiled and observed Ron staring openly at them.
"I think it's wonderful," Hermione said. "Severus has made a few improvements, though. He added those bookshelves over there, and put a few extra taps into the bath."
"Did he?" asked Ginny, grinning.
"Indeed," Severus said. "It now rivals the prefect's bath at the castle."
"Do you enjoy luxuriant bubble baths, Severus?" Ginny asked, giggling a little.
"Not particularly," Severus said, and Irene's eyes widened. She glanced at Hermione.
A flash of white light and a gentle pop announced the arrival of Enid. She perched herself quietly in the corner of the room, where Severus has given her a spot upstairs. The attention of the rest of the group stayed on the phoenix for a moment.
"Where's Toffee?" Irene asked.
"Downstairs in the kitchen," Hermione said.
"I think I'd like to get a dog, Ron," said Irene. "Once we move, of course."
"Yeah, we should," said Ron. He kept glancing at Severus, looking increasingly bothered. Hermione could only assume he was finally comprehending that not only did Hermione fancy Severus, but that Severus might return the feeling. She felt Severus' fingertips brush the top of her shoulder and she smiled at Ron.
"Is Enid anything like Fawkes?" Harry asked Severus. "Are female phoenixes very different?"
"They are thought to be greater meddlers in human affairs," said Severus. "Though the claim is likely a myth."
"How do they meddle?" asked Harry curiously.
"They cannot help it," said Severus. "Their mere presence tends to draw out tensions and secrets."
Ron continued to stare at Severus, and scoffed a bit at Severus' words. Irene gave him a confused, but stern look.
"It would seem Mr. Weasley does not believe me," asked Severus.
Ron's face turned a light shade of red, and he shook his head.
"Well, Snape, I don't how you got a phoenix in the first place, but it seems like she might be defective, if you've got your phoenix lore right."
Severus raised a brow and asked, "How so?"
"For one, it looks like you and Hermione have managed to keep plenty of secrets while she's around," said Ron, his voice growing a bit louder.
"And for another, I don't need some bird to tell me when I'm not wanted," Ron said, standing up. Irene looked both shocked and furious and hissed his name under her breath.
"What do you mean by that last statement?" Severus inquired calmly, his arm now firmly resting on Hermione's shoulders, as if he might need to protect her.
"You still hate me!" Ron burst out, waving his arms in the air. "It's obvious, isn't it? You'll talk to Harry and Ginny, even Irene, but when it comes to me it's all, 'Mr. Weasley' and sarcasm! What did I ever do to you, Snape? It was Harry who really tried to piss you off in school, not me. How is it you can manage to treat everyone else like an adult, but you act as if I'm still a student?"
Ron fell silent, fuming, his arms crossed. Irene tugged him back down to the love seat with her and avoided looking at anyone else.
"Though that childish temper tantrum is evidence enough, I shall also remind you, Ronald Weasley, that it is you who has been determined not to acknowledge my existence, despite seeing me at least once a week. Had you offered one word to me in conversation without your fiance's coercion, the situation might have been resolved weeks ago."
Severus looked at him with mild disgust and said, "I do not cater to sulking children. If you wanted to be treated with the same respect given to your friends, you should have followed their lead and acted as a grown wizard should upon making an acquaintance."
Ron looked murderous but managed to mumble, "I already knew you."
"Ah... but did you?" asked Severus, fixing him with a calm, unblinking gaze.
Ron stared back for a few moments, then relented and looked down at his hands. He finally cleared his throat and spoke.
"I'd like for us to... be friends," he said awkwardly. "Call me Ron."
Severus relaxed a bit in his seat and said, "Very well. Shall we now put the past behind us, Ron?"
Hermione almost giggled, hearing him say Ron's name. It was unnervingly odd to hear.
"Yes. I'd like that – Severus," Ron said, looking pained as spoke.
The silence that fell between them was punctuated by Enid's soft chirp.
"Well, I think it's safe to say that Enid isn't defective after all," Hermione said.
Ron smiled self-consciously and the rest of them laughed, glad to break the tension in the room.
"On that note, Harry and I have to go," said Ginny. "We'll see you all Friday."
Severus and Hermione showed their guests out the back door and watched them Disapparate.
"That was unexpected," she said to Severus, once they were gone.
"I regret that Weasley's silence has come to an end," Severus remarked. "Damn meddling bird..."
"You mean, Ron," said Hermione.
Severus grunted in response and walked back inside.
"I'm glad you and Ron are speaking now," she called to him, surveying the backyard. Toffee was trying to catch the moths that flew around in the light from the back stoop, and a few bats swooped overhead.
That Friday was pleasanter than previous evenings, and Ron was more himself, in good spirits. Irene was excitedly sharing the details of their upcoming wedding, which would take place in May. When there was a lull in the conservation, Hermione took hold of Severus' hand under the table and cleared her throat.
"So, I have something to tell you all," she said, feeling herself flush as all eyes were suddenly on her. Ginny looked like she might burst with anticipation, her eyes glittering and a wide smile spreading across her face.
"I've started to look for my parents," she said, turning to Severus.
"Severus has agreed to help me... he thinks he can reverse the spells I used to modify their memories."
She turned back to the group. Ginny looked a little disappointed, but the rest of them were smiling and offering encouraging comments.
"That's great, Hermione," said Harry. "Really great."
"We'll be closing the shop in the last week of November, and hope to return within a week's time," she said.
"You really think you can reverse Hermione's spells?" Irene asked Severus. "Without any damage?"
"We have been forming a plan for reversal," he said. "I am confident that most of it can be undone. Any residual effects on their memories should be minor."
"I couldn't do it without him," Hermione said, squeezing his hand before letting go. "It will take two people, and one of them must be skilled in the Mind Arts."
Harry gave her a look of warning and whispered, "I wouldn't advertise those skills too loudly, Hermione."
"I know, Harry. Memory spells are perfectly acceptable magic, though," she replied.
"For Ministry officials, not everyday citizens," he said, giving her an exasperated look. If the topic were not so serious, Hermione would have laughed at the sound of Harry scolding her for being cavalier about the rules. That was usually her part in an argument.
Hermione fell silent and glanced at Severus.
"Right," she said. "Obviously nobody can know what I did to my parents except those of us sitting here tonight."
She looked around the table. Gallus was not present that evening. The rest of them nodded their agreement.
"Of course we would never tell anyone," said Irene. "We all just want you to get your family back. I'm so glad Severus will be able to help you."
Harry was looking at Severus with something like admiration in his eyes. Ginny was still smiling, and Ron looked like he might cry. He looked at Severus.
"I know how much this means to Hermione," he said.
"Leaving them in Australia has been one of my greatest regrets," she said. "If only I'd had more time to come up with a better plan..."
"You kept them safe, that's what matters," said Harry. "They'll understand, Hermione."
"I hope so," she said, looking back at Severus.
"If they are half as sensible as you, they will," he reassured her, reaching to place his hand over hers where it rested on the table.
Hermione smiled at him as she felt her friends' eyes on her once again.
"I'm not always so sensible," she said, looking seriously into his eyes.