Disclaimers:I do not own anything from the books of Harry Potter and I'm certainly not making any money from this story. Everything you might recognise belongs to J K Rowling, her editor and Warner Bros. (Though as far as I know, the plot, and some minor characters, are mine.)
Summary:One usually says that "bright minds think the same", but do they listen to their hearts – especially when the minds are as stubborn as those of Severus Snape and Hermione Granger?
Author's notes: Hi, if you are still following this story – a big thank you! I know I haven't written in literally years. Life at university got too busy and I ended up losing my inspiration. I've almost finished my studies now however and I've set a deadline for this story.
A friend of mine who was one of the first ones to read Bright Minds turns 25 in September and my goal is to have it all completed and edited by then so I can give her a printed copy for her birthday.
I've got a few new chapters completed so I hope I'll be able to publish a chapter at least every other week.
To all new and old readers who have stopped by through the years and even left a review or several – thank you so much. You really mean a lot to me. Now on with the story...
Bright Minds Think the Same
Chapter Thirty eight – Tea and Talking
As they entered the Head girl's room, Hermione lit the scones with a wave of her wand before heading over to the fireplace to light the fire. She was just about to offer Bill a seat when a loud pop was heard and Dobby appeared with a tray set with tea and two slices of the plum cake that hadn't been finished at Christmas.
"Thank you, Dobby. That was very kind of you." she replied with a genuine smile at the small elf because accepting the way the house elves wanted to live was not the same as treating them like air like most wizards did.
"It wases Dobby's pleasure, Miss." he replied, ears flapping as he made a small bow before once again disappearing with a pop.
Gesturing for Bill to sit down on the small couch, she took a seat in the armchair placed next to it, pouring the steaming tea into the two cups that had also been placed on the tray.
"Wow, this room is so much tidier than mine used to be when I was Head boy." Bill commented with a laugh as he looked around.
"Why am I not surprised?" Hermione replied in a tone rather reminiscent of the one the man they had spent most of the day with usually employed.
Ignoring her jibe, Bill kept on talking. "But otherwise it looks pretty much the same." Taking a sip from his cup, he settled for a rather nonchalant tone as he approached the subject he had come to discuss. "It's a shame we didn't get much time to talk at Grimmauld Place, but mum sure did a fine job of keeping everyone busy. Anyway, I must say that it was very impressive what you did."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, genuine confusion colouring her voice.
"The way you managed to deduct how the painting had been stuck to the wall. Not to mention how you managed to get the information from that crazy house elf. Have you ever considered a career in curse breaking? We do need people who can think outside what they teach you during the Gringotts education. Despite what the goblins like to think, they do not know everything."
Hermione let out a short laugh. "Oh, I don't know, Bill. It's seems very interesting and educational, but so does many other things."
At this Bill too laughed. "Well, I guess now it's my turn not to be very surprised. But seriously, if you ever decide that you would like to try your hands at it, just tell me. I think you even managed to impress Snape, not that he would ever admit it."
"Oh, I highly doubt that." Hermione replied.
"But really, what is it like working with him? I mean, I can see McGonagall being ecstatic and the other teachers are surely only too pleased, but Snape?"
Not really knowing what to say, the young woman quickly decided to stay with the truth as far as possible. "Well, it's not so bad. I mean, it's true that he's a very stern teacher and that he doesn't tolerate foolish mistakes, but he knows so, so much. Just being allowed to see a little of what he can do when he doesn't have to teach uninterested and incompetent students is amazing. I know Harry and especially Ron don't understand how I can voluntarily have lessons with him, but I'm really enjoying it."
"No, I guess Ron wouldn't see that. He means well, but he'll probably never understand people who learn things that don't concern Quidditch voluntarily. I actually believe it was a good thing that the two of you decided you were better off as friends. No matter what mum thinks, the two of would probably have driven each other mad in the end."
"That's a nice way of putting it. Don't get me wrong, I love Ron, just as I love Harry, but the two of us? We would have killed each other within a week." Hermione replied with a laugh. "But thank you, not very many seem to understand that. They keep questioning why we aren't together."
"It's just because that's what everyone's been expecting. You know, Ginny and Harry and you and Ron. Would tie everything up nicely, don't you think?" he said jokingly. "Anyway, so what you're saying is that Snape really is no different? You've just become resistant?"
"Well, it's basically true. When I think about it I guess he might be a bit easier to work with like this, but yes, he's still very much Professor Snape." Hermione was quite pleased with herself. Though completely truthful, her answers had hopefully been vague and ambiguous enough for Bill to interpret to what he had been expecting to hear.
"I can't believe that he got himself talked into agreeing to this though. I doubt spending extra time with any student – no matter how brilliant – would be Snape's idea of fun. But then again he didn't seems to mind your company all that much when we were at Grimmauld Place."
"Well, I do believe I'm slightly above Neville on his list, but I'm sure that given the option, he would kick me out the moment he could." Why wouldn't Bill let this go? Hermione was in no way stupid and she knew what Bill was trying to do. Somehow he must have gotten suspicious of them and now he was trying, albeit with slightly more finesse than was customary for a Gryffindor, to find out if there was any ground for his suspicions.
"I'm sure he would." Bill agreed with an amused snort. Finishing the last of his tea, he continued, "Well, I guess I'd better be going. Fleur is waiting. It was nice seeing you."
The young man rose from the couch, followed by Hermione. "It was nice seeing you too."
As they reached the door they said their goodbyes, but just as Hermione was about to close the door, Bill put a hand on it to stop her. "And Hermione, if Snape ever treats you badly, just tell me. I'll let him know that he's not the only one who knows unusual spells."
Hermione just gave him a weak smile and closed the door, slumping against it the moment it clicked shut.
Dear Merlin. How on earth had she ended up like this? They had been so, so careful. And no, she couldn't be sure that Bill suspected anything. He might just have been interested in knowing what it was like to work with the teacher every student for the last eighteen years had feared and hated. At this she let out a laugh. Feared and hated... Yes...
But, she was fairly certain that this wasn't the case. Especially with that parting comment. Oh God... What were they going to do? Should she even tell Severus? The only good thing was that she most likely wouldn't see Bill again until the summer break and he wasn't really the kind of person who would go around talking about it. Was he?
"What are you thinking of, cara?"
Hermione jumped as his words broke through her reverie. She hadn't known what to do after Bill had left and had taken to wandering the castle, ending up in the North Tower which was where Severus now had found her.
"You scared me!"
"My apologies. It was not my intention" he said as he stepped behind her, wrapping his arms and cloak around her. He rubbed his hands up and down her cold arms almost absentmindedly as he too looked out over the snow covered grounds.
"What are you doing up here?" he asked as she snuggled closer to his warmth.
"He knows..." she said softly.
"Bill Weasley?" Severus asked calmly, resting his chin against her hair.
"Yes..." She took in a slow breath. "That's what he wanted to talk to me about."
"I suspected as much" he replied in the same calm manner. "Every person who knows is of course ultimately a risk, but I doubt Mr Weasley will create any problems. He knows how to keep a secret and if he didn't approve, we would have known by now. We and everyone else. I assume that you didn't confirm his suspicions."
"Of course not." she replied before teasingly adding, "He did threaten to duel you though, should you ever hurt me."
"Silly Gryffindors." he said with a hint of amusement in his voice. "Challenging a dark arts master in a duel. Very honourable indeed, but very stupid."
"Oh, come on! I could take you - easily." she replied in the same teasing voice.
"Impertinent witch." Severus replied as he trailed kisses behind her right ear, making her shiver. "You wouldn't stand a chance." he whispered against her skin.
She turned around, still wrapped in his cloak and pressed her lips to his. Severus growled lowly as her cool hands somehow had found their way in beneath his shirt and he heatedly took control over the kiss, pressing her against the wall next to the window and prying her lips open with his tongue.
He was playing with fire, he knew, but it felt so good. His blood was pounding through his body, hot and boiling, and at that moment he wanted nothing more than to rip off her clothes and show her how he could make her feel if she'd let him.
He forced himself to break the kiss, a slight pant noticeable in his breathing.
Severus allowed himself a small smile in response to Hermione's pout as he let go of her and gave her a gentle push in the direction of the door.
"Come on, let's find some place closer to room temperature. Not to mention less likely to be observed by a certain daughter of one of our founders." he added as he led her out of the draughty tower room.
Author's notes: And we're off! A short chapter, I know, but the next one is longer and it felt right to cut this one here. Hope you enjoyed it and didn't notice quite how rusty I am. Cheers :)