A/N: Well Calamity Jane week has kicked off today. From 10am this morning until 8pm tonight I have been directing set moves, building, bracing and marking up all in preparation for our dress rehearsal tomorrow. Unfortunately though, I've had to do it all whilst in severe pain from a prolapsed disc in my back. Luckily I have a wonderful crew of volunteer stage hands to assist me who have worked super hard today.

Anyway, I've been working on this chapter for you and wanted to post it before things went too mad. I might be able to post another during the week but it is dependant on both the theatre and my toddler so bear with me if I am quiet. xx

Reconnection

Hermione tumbled out of the fireplace onto Severus' hearthrug, casting a charm to remove the soot from her clothes as she hurried to her feet. She looked around the room, smiling at the stacked up boxes that were waiting to be moved to her house. The sight making the thought of him living in her home all the more real.

"Severus?" she called out when she realised the man himself was missing.

"Upstairs," came the response, "I'll only be a minute."

"Not waiting a minute," said Hermione, throwing her coat onto the sofa and heading for the stairs, "I haven't seen you in three days so if you're not decent I'm not bothered."

She heard his answering laugh as she hurried up the rickety stairs, knowing her intrusion wasn't at all unwelcome. She soon reached the landing, pausing only briefly at the open door to his bedroom as she took in the sight of him. Her heart beat wildly against her rib cage as he stood before her in black trousers and a crisp white shirt, the dove grey cravat at his throat reminiscent of the colours he had worn at New Year. His clothes mattered little though in comparison to his open arms and the naked affection on his face and she hurried to his embrace without any further delay.

He lifted her off her feet as he took hold of her, hugging her tightly before he set her down once more and capturing her lips before she could say a word. Hermione fisted a hand into his hair, her other hand splayed against his back to hold herself up as her knees went weak at the pleasure of his kiss.

"These have been the longest three days of my life," he said breathlessly when he released her, his forehead resting against hers, "Hello."

"Hello yourself," said Hermione, a giggle of pure joy escaping her lips, "Happy Birthday."

"Bloody well is now," said Severus, one hand rising to cup her cheek as he leaned back to take in her appearance, "You look absolutely beautiful. I have missed you."

"And I you," she answered, "Your letters have been wonderful but I wanted you."

"Well I am yours for tonight."

"Have you forgotten you made dinner arrangements with Harry?" said Hermione, "By your own design I've got to share you with two other people."

"Actually, it's four other people," said Severus sheepishly, "I asked Luna and Neville to join us as well."

Hermione laughed, "You've arranged yourself quite a party," she said, "Shall I head back to Hogwarts and invite all your old colleagues too?"

"We'll save them for your birthday," said Severus, holding her face in his hands, "Say the word and I'll cancel it all though."

Hermione kissed him softly, "So very very tempting," she said, "But you and I both know that we won't. Another night though and I will keep you all to myself."

Severus leaned in, boldly pressing a kiss to her neck just below her ear, letting her feel his smile against her skin as she shivered, "Till morning?" he asked.

Hermione whimpered at his tone, her fingers digging into his shoulders through the thin cotton of his shirt, "Yes," she said softly, "Soon my darling. I might have to go away for a fortnight if this is what I get after only three days though."

"I'd come after you after a week alone," said Severus, capturing her lips with a brief, searing kiss, "The hours have dragged today. I swear I was a heartbeat from heading to the gates and sending a house elf to summon you for some made up emergency."

"I wish you had done," said Hermione, "I had my first class back with my seventh years this afternoon."

"And how did that go?" said Severus, stroking his hands along the small of her back, "You appear to be singe free and in possession of all your limbs so it can't have been too bad."

Hermione giggled, "It wasn't too bad. I kept the room under control at least and some of the students produced passable potions," she said, "I had to stop four Gryffindor girls from trying to brew amortentia that they intended for several male members of the Quidditch team. It resulted in a few tears. Of course, that then gave two of the Slytherin boys an opportunity to create merry hell the other side of the room. Luckily, I'd kept half an eye of them and stopped them blowing a hole in the wall but they kicked off when I gave them detention for it. I am not looking forward to tomorrow lunchtime."

"You handled it though," said Severus, "And that is a victory. Let them rant and rave, they'll soon pipe down when they realise it's getting them nowhere."

Hermione smiled before she rested her cheek against his chest, her arms wrapping tightly around his waist, "How long until we have to leave?" she said after a few moments of silence.

"About twenty minutes," said Severus, his voice low in the quiet of the room, "I told Harry we would meet him in the Leaky Cauldron at seven."

"I'd better let you finish getting ready then," said Hermione, her fingers plucking at one of the buttons on his shirt.

Severus kept hold of her, "I only need to pull on a coat," he said, "I'm afraid this is as put together as I get."

Hermione smiled up at him, "I think you look very handsome," she said, gently adjusting the knot in his cravat, frowning as she saw him flinch slightly at her touch, "What's the matter?"

"Nothing," he said, capturing her hands in his own and pressing a kiss to her fingers, "I have something for you by the way."

He sat her down on the bed, heading to his nightstand and picking up a folded piece of paper from on top of the book Hermione had given him for Christmas.

"These are just starting points, I'm not suggesting you use them at all as they are Dark Magic," said Severus handing the paper to her, "But these are spells that might help your parents. At least they give you a basis to work from anyway."

"Thank you," said Hermione scanning the list, her eyes widening at some of the spells before her, "Though I see what you mean about not using them. Most of them carry about ten years in Azkaban if used on wizards, let alone muggles. Even researching these though, I don't think I'll be good enough at making much headway into finding a cure. Would you help me?"

"Of course I will," said Severus as he opened the closet and drew out the same dark grey jacket he had worn on New Year, "I'll do all that I can. I already have a few ideas but I think we should start on the same page before I jump ahead."

"Do you think we can do this?" said Hermione, looking down at the list once more.

Severus sat down on the mattress beside her, brushing a length of her hair back behind her shoulder, "We can do anything," he said, "But it may take some time."

"Thank you," said Hermione, "And you're right. Between the two of us there isn't much we can't manage."

Severus pressed a kiss to her hair before he got to his feet, offering her his hand, "But first, you have a long overdue meeting with your friends," he said, helping her to stand, "Are you alright with us meeting Harry at the Leaky Cauldron? There's nothing to say we won't be seen by people who will happily sell the information to the Prophet."

"Well then," said Hermione, pressing her palms to her chest, "We'd best ensure that we make sure they have something worthy of the price to sell. I'm not about to deny to anyone that we're together, Severus, you mean too much to me for me to care about anyone else's opinion. Besides, they're probably going to be more interested about you being seen in public with Harry."

Severus asked, "Sadly, I think you are probably right," he said taking hold of one of her hands before he led her to the stairs, "So long as they don't imply that there is anything between him and me."

Hermione giggled, "He'd have to fight me for you and I always beat him at stunning spells," she said, preceding him down the stairs and back into the living room, "Where are we going tonight? You never said."

"I'm not sure as yet," said Severus, picking up her coat and helping her into it, "I asked Harry to find something suitable and muggle for us."

Hermione cocked an eyebrow as she bit back a laugh, "You asked Harry Potter to find a venue for us tonight?" she said, "You're going to be lucky if you don't spend your birthday in a fast food outlet."

"He doesn't know it's my birthday," said Severus, "And I don't want a fuss about it. I've got all I need in being able to spend time with you, even if it does involve fast food."

"You might have to stand by that statement," said Hermione as they headed into the hallway, Severus taking his coat down from the peg on the wall and pulling it on over his thinner jacket.

He paused before he opened the door, patting his pocket with a frown, "I think I'm getting senile in my old age," he said in mock despair, "I had something I wanted to give to Harry but I must have left it upstairs. I'll only be a moment."

"I'm sure I can bear a few moments separation," said Hermione, unable to keep the smile from her face as he pressed a kiss to her lips before he returned to the stairs.

"Just in case," came his voice as he disappeared upwards and Hermione giggled, leaning back against the pealing wallpaper of the hallway.

It wasn't long until he returned, lacing his fingers with hers as they exited the house, Hermione glad she had chosen a pair of flat boots over heels as her feet met with the crunch of newly fallen snow. She held onto Severus' arm with her free hand, keeping close to his side as they navigated the icy path to the apparition point beside the river. She stepped happily into his arms, letting him carry them both to Diagon Alley, only opening her eyes once she heard the familiar hustle and bustle of the street.

She heard several people remark on their presence, Harry Potter's best friend and once villain turned hero of the Second Wizarding War enough to garner attention from every corner with or without the help of the Prophet. She pressed a kiss to his cheek before she shot a look that would have rivalled one of his best scowls at the nearest bystander, hearing his chuckle as he guided her hand into the crook of his elbow.

"Now now, little lioness," he said, "No need to frighten everyone off."

"They need to mind their own," groused Hermione, "Too nosey for their own good."

"Sadly, my dearest, you and I are public property, in their eyes at least," said Severus, "And now we are together we are both intriguing and scandalous. I wonder how many have wagers on whether we began an affair during your school days."

Hermione giggled, "With me being the bushy haired know-it-all and you the grumpy, Slytherin house head who would much prefer to take house points than look at me with an admiring eye," she said, "We never would have suited one another back then. Though that detention in my sixth year would have been more interesting. You were cruel that day, I only misread one word in the passage you had me read in class and yet you still gave me detention."

Severus sighed as he led her towards the wall that separated them from the Leaky Cauldron, "Might I make a confession in regards to that day?" he said, placing his free hand over hers where it rested at his elbow, "I would not normally have given you that detention but I needed to hear your voice. When you read out in class, you were so measured in your tone and it was most calming. When you stumbled on the word though I took my chance to keep that calm with me for a little longer."

Hermione frowned, "I'm not sure I understand," she said, "You always described my voice as grating when I was a child."

"By that point you were no longer a child," said Severus, "And I knew what lay before you and your friends. It was that day that I found out from Dumbledore what I was expected to do and what Harry would have to endure. You had no idea and stood before me so calmly. When I made you continue reading aloud in your detention it was to help me distance myself from the hell that was to come."

Hermione smiled up at him, tears pricking at her eyes at his words, "I will read to you every day from now on if you want me to," she said, "And I'm glad I could comfort you even when we were at odds."

Severus said nothing but his fingers tightened briefly over hers as he drew out his wand and deftly opened the portal in the wall before them. They crossed the small courtyard into the pub, finding the place busy but not too crowded that they could not move easily within. As in Diagon Alley, heads swivelled their way but this time they ignored them though Hermione pressed a little tighter to Severus' side as she heard several exclamations of surprise at their appearance.

The crowds were forgotten though as she saw two faces she had missed far more than she had let herself believe. Severus released his hold on her, pressing a hand to her back as Harry and Ginny both got to their feet, willing her over to them with a gentle push. She found herself wrapped in a too tight embrace, both of her friends holding onto her with a desperation that spoke of the months they had spent apart.

She heard their muffled apologies as she responded with her own, knowing in that moment all was forgiven despite the past. They only released one another as Severus gave a pointed cough behind them, Hermione turning back to him and taking hold of his arm once more.

"You may be facing another front page at this rate," he said to her before he turned his attention to the two people before him, "How are you both?"

"Well, thank you," said Ginny, "And very grateful to you for arranging this."

"You all just needed a push in the right direction," said Severus, "And if your mother asks, this was all my idea and you did not know who else you were meeting."

Ginny shook her head, "No, we will tell her we knew," she said, "It's about time we proved the bravery we're meant to have."

"Even if it means we get ear ache," said Harry, "Have you seen Luna and Neville yet, your owl said they were meeting us?"

Severus shook his head, "They'll be along shortly I'm sure," he said, "Should we sit down and have a drink?"

"Let us get them," said Ginny, grabbing Harry's hand and dragging him to the bar before he had a chance to protest.

"As they didn't ask for what you wanted you can assume you're getting fire whiskey," said Hermione as Severus led her to the table Harry and Ginny had occupied, sitting them down on the two other chairs.

"They keep a fine cask here so I'm sure I won't mind," he said, "Are you happy though?"

Hermione smiled, caring nothing for anyone else in the room as she closed the small distance between them to kiss him, "I am now my darling," she said, lacing their fingers together atop the table, "Very happy."