Chapter 38- A Little Gossip Causes Trouble.
Severus was scowling as he watched Minerva moving quickly down the corridor, then shook his head and rubbed his forehead with his fingertips. As his mood was darkening, he felt a massive headache coming on and it wasn't Minervas little hints that bothered him, as he knew she meant no harm, but the article in the paper was a different story. He wondered why Harry had to start an argument with his wife over Hermione's visit, well,-- beyond the fact that Harry still hated Severus.
Severus couldn't be bothered anymore to hate Harry. It took too much energy. Severus also valued having a somewhat less stressful life since the war, and since Hermione had come to the castle there was already rumours flying around. The article was just more fuel for the gossipmongers. Severus wondered if this new and fragile relationship between him and Hermione would survive the gossip or shatter.
He gave his head a shake and snarled, "Bloody twit, mouthing off in public yet. " Severus stuffed the paper into his cloak pocket and then headed down the corridor with plans to head to his study where he could think everything out, hopefully without being disrupted.
Ginny held her son tightly as she apparated after leaving Saint Mungos, leaving Harry behind to head home on his own. She was fuming mad and felt she needed to get away before anything more was said. She headed to the Burrow where her mother Molly had finished her housework and was outside for some fresh air while waiting for Arthur to come home from the ministry. Molly looked up as she heard the snap and looked pleased, as her daughter had come to visit with the new baby.
"GINNY, how wonderful to see you, I thought you had an appointment at Saint Mungos " She said as she went over to take her newest grandbaby from her daughters arms.
"Yes mom we did."
Molly noticed Ginny was upset. "goodness I hope nothing went wrong with Arthur James check-up"
"No mother he is healthy."
"Then what is wrong and where is Harry? Wasn't he going with you to the hopital?"
"He did and he made a total ass of himself."
"Uh oh come in and we can talk over a nice cuppa chocolate."
Hermione was home and she was angry herself. She didn't appreciate the fact that her name was written on the front page of the Daily Prophet. She and Ginny were both angry with Harry for his stupid remarks. When Hermione read the paper she lost it. As far as she was concerned it was no business of Harry's or anybody else for that matter who she visited and she was sure that Severus was going to be furious
"Oh yes that little article was intended to stir up some trouble.' Hermione stared at herself in the hallway mirror that yelled at her to brush out that mop on top of her head. Hermione snarled "Keep it up mirror and I Guarantee you will find yourself becoming a frame with no glass.'
Remus saw the article and said to Tonks, "Harry has put his foot in it this time. '
Tonks looked up from making supper. "What has he done?"
"He had an argument with Ginny at Saint Mungos over Hermione going to Hogwarts and seeing Severus."
"WHAT? Lets see that rag." Tonks took the paper from Remus and read the article
"Harry is really asking for trouble, If Ginny is anything like her mother he will be deeply sorry he had even thought of opening his mouth. I don't think Hermione would appreciate her business being discussed in public either ...At least Severus's name isn't mentioned but I think he will be furious anyways."
Remus replied back "No kidding. He may not even want to talk to any of us either."
"Now why would you say that?"
"You know he is a very private person who hates publicity and since Harry obviously knew about Hermiones visit and started an argument as Saint Mungos with Ginny..."
"Someone overheard the argument and notified Rita Skeeter. This article isn't going to help get those two together is it?'
"No it definitely won't help considering how he hates to be set-up."
Hermione started as she thought she heard Severus calling her then realized the voice came from the fireplace. She knelt down to where she could see Severus's face in the flames, they greeted each other and then they talked over what was said in the Daily Prophet.
"Okay Hermione, I know you were at Saint Mungos when Harry and Ginny showed up, please tell me what actually took place!"
"I was in my lab making the potions and I could hear them fighting. I figured I better stay right were I was so I would not get involved, but I guess that didn't work did it?"
Severus replied back dryly "No but then even if you were standing right there you probably couldn't shut up Harry the mouth for long in fact I think he would have caused an even more humiliating scene."
"Yes I know, Ginny was so angry she left with baby Arthur after his appointment at the hospital and left Harry standing there."
"So whoever heard the conversation put it all together and informed the Daily Prophet."
"Severus, I suspect it was Rita Skeeter herself who listened in to Harrys conversation and if Harry hadn't opened up his trap at the hospital I don't think she would have paid attention to the fact that I had come to Hogwarts this past weekend to see you, anyway she didn't mention you by name."
"Okay, so what concealing charm did she use I wonder, I think most people who read that rag would have noticed her if she was at Saint Mungos.
Hermione sighed as she thought she better tell him about the secret she had discovered years ago about Rita Skeeter. "Remember during the Triwizard tournament how Rita Skeeter seemed to come up with interesting facts about Harry and Hagrid, besides the nonsense she made up that is."
Severus had thought a moment then with a growl in his voice answered "Yes I remember hearing about a few things especially about your explosive tempers when she reported you were after Victor Krum and two-timing Potter."
"Funny,-- Severus, anyway I had finally figured out how she managed to do it."
"Well, I'm all ears, do tell." Severus drawled.
"She is an unregistered animigus, a beetle actually."
"Hmmm, a beetle eh?" Time to debug the place.
Hermione started to smile " Oh Severus,-- ."
"Okay then you debug the place."
Hermione laughed as she realized he was teasing her. "I know what her beetle form looks like and if I have to I will catch her then put her in a jar like last time.
Severus grinned as he listened to her laugh. "Hmm, sounds like there is an interesting story behind that discovery."
Hermione smiled at him as she sat there in front of the fireplace. "I might tell you the full story some day"
"I look forward to it."
They talked a few minutes more about various things and then said good night to each other before breaking the connection."
Severus leaned back away from the fireplace and he now knew their friends hadn't gossiped about them to Rita Skeeter and even more important to him, his relationship to Hermione was stable. He pulled the paper out of his pocket and slowly ripped it to shreds and placed the pieces into the fire.