Disclaimer - I own nothing! I'm just borrowing from J.K. Rowling!

Chapter 38

A few days had passed since Alice's release from the hospital. Thanks to her wonderful healers, it was a quick recovery. She immediately went to the farm, and Hermione said she would soon follow.

During her recovery, Hermione visited Alice every while either Dean or Philippe stayed during the night. Severus on the other hand was always on hospital grounds when Hermione visited. For some reason, he couldn't fathom himself to stay in Alice's room for long, only dropping in to say hello. Maybe it was because he felt like he was intruding, or the witch scared him more than usual.

The time had come when Hermione was going to follow Alice to the farm. She, Severus, Lucius, Narcissa, Draco, Alan and Giselle were all riding a stretch limousine. Giselle and Narcissa were all excited about the trip, going on and on about roses much to Lucius's dismay. Hermione on the other hand did feel excitement, but she also felt nervous. How would everyone react if they knew the truth? Most of all, how would Severus react?

Plus, it was Giselle's birthday. Hermione made a few arrangements. Giselle was in for a treat, having a glorious picnic upon her arrival. Another gift was that she would imagine colors of a rose, and Hermione would try to make the rose. Of course, it might take years to develop it, but it was a very nice gift. The rose would also be named after her.

"You okay?" Severus whispered into her ear. "You've been silent most of the time. I thought you'd be more excited about this trip."

"I am excited," Hermione whispered back, before giving his an assuring peck on the cheek. "I love roses because of you."

Severus nodded in agreement as he held her hand on his lap, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"What's the name of the God forsaken place you're dragging me into again," Lucuis drawled. He was seated on the seat behind the driver, far from everyone else. He was clearly unhappy and had no shame in showing it.

"It's called Alice's Inn and Rose Farm," Narcissa gushed to her husband. She and Giselle were like little children going to the candy store, all excited and impatient. "And I didn't drag you, Hermione did."

Lucius only let out a snort. If it was just his wife who was forcing him to come, it may have been a whole different story, and he wouldn't have come. Since it was Hermione though, and with all the hardships she endured recently, he figured a little torture was doable for the sake of her happiness.

Hermione looked solemnly at Lucius. Earlier before the long trip started, she apologized to him when he started complaining, and he said it was okay. She knew that he was telling the truth, and was grateful to have a friend like him. He was very protective towards her, as was everyone else in the limo.

Alice? Did it have any relation to Hermione's friend Alice? Severus questioned himself. After some thought, he came to the conclusion that it didn't. Alice after all, was a very common name.

"Looks like they're setting up for the celebrations," Giselle said as they were in eye's view of the town square. It was one of the busiest weekends for the town, as it was their anniversary of the founding of the town.

The town's people were setting things up, some booths for games and treats, a town maze, and Hermione's favorite, the huge hay bale slide. It was basically a huge wide slide, where one slid down its slippery slope, only to be stopped by hay bales in the bottom.

As they came up to the other edge of town, the farm then started to become visible. Acres upon acres of rose bushes became visible.

"Oh my God!" Narcissa screamed she and Giselle clutched onto each other's hands in excitement.

"Oh please," Lucius said in disgust as he rolled his eyes. "You two are acting like children. Your manners are becoming highly embarrassing. If the both of you continue to act in such a manner, I will pretend not to know either of your throughout the entirety of this vacation.

The two ladies only giggled at his remark, while Alan and Draco could only chuckle.

Hermione kept to herself, enjoying Lucius' torment. It was nice to see a man with such control in his life, lose some of that control over something so miniscule. His complaining was almost comical, like the two women's giddy reactions, but obviously the complete opposite.

As Hermione continued to watch him in silence, she noted that he looked pretty good in casual Muggle clothing—a collared shirt and some khaki pants. It was another side to Lucius that she was new to. Despite his negativity throughout the trip so far, Hermione wished that he would somewhat give in to the negativity at some point, and appreciate roses, most especially her work. She came to the conclusion that Lucius was one of her real and best friends, and his opinion meant a lot to her.

Absentmindedly, Hermione rubbed the small mid section just between her neck and chest. She missed her rose pendant dearly, remembering that she held on to it for dear life just before getting shot. Obviously, it was gone. The gunman probably threw it someplace before getting caught. She didn't want to let it go. Maybe it was a sign though. Now with it gone, she had come to the conclusion that at some point, she had to let it go.

The possibility of things breaking off Severus was still very probable. A very big part of her doubted that he would follow her when she would buy the farm. Potions and Hogwarts was very much a part of his life—or rather even was his life. It would be too much for him to sacrifice and change for her. And if he wasn't going to, she wasn't going to force him. Maybe losing the pendant was a sign that she had to let him go eventually. She already had come to that acceptance. Yes, it was going to hurt, but it would only hurt more to see him give up and throw his life away for her. Forget about it being a probability, when she knew it was going to be true.

Hermione looked across from her and saw Giselle. Yes, it was back to the original plan, but a little bit different. She wasn't going break things off from Severus. Things were going to break off naturally with an understanding, and in the end, he would go back to her. As much as Hermione wanted him in her life, she couldn't be selfish. As the saying goes, 'If you love someone, you have to let them go.' And that time was coming very soon.

Of course, the project with Alan was one of the few things that never left Hermione's mind. She promised herself she was going to finish it long ago, and finish it she was going to do. Even if at that point in time, things were to be broken off with Severus, she could live with him and her having a strictly personal relationship. It would definitely be difficult, but life really wasn't easy, most especially hers. Hermione knew that he would be happy with his life the way it currently was, potions and Hogwarts, and she would be happy for him. on the other hand, she would be happy with her roses, and learn how to be happy alone.

Again, like before, Hermione's time with Severus, them being together—an us, was becoming limited. And she wanted to cherish every single moment with him before things were to come to an end. She let go of his hand, and placed her arms beneath his jacket, wrapping them around his body. She snuggled against his warmth, closed her eyes and fought against the tears that were forming beneath her eyes. No, she wasn't going to cry. Not now.

"Hermione, you okay?" Severus asked softly as he bent his head to look at her face. Clearly there was something wrong.

"Just a little carsick," Hermione replied with a small lie. "The trip's been a little too long."

"We're almost there," he told her, just before he kissed her brow. Severus then sat back, and held her close as he ran small circles on the small of her back. Truth be told, he was quite anxious about the trip. He hid it well behind his demeanor, not showing his anxiety. No way would he be acting like Narcissa and Giselle at any point that was for sure.

Ever since he and Hermione had become a couple again, his performance in the romance department was low. Sure they kissed and cuddle, but he needed to prove his love to her, showering her with lots of romantic gifts, more actions and whatever else more. In fact the only romantic gesture that he actually did so far since they got together was when he gave her a rose on the beach. Years ago, he remembered buying her a rose daily. Why didn't he do that again? They were too caught up in all the problems.

Now they were headed to a rose farm. He was trying to think up of possible plans on what to do there, hoping for some lavish romantic possibilities. Rose petals on the bed, picnic surrounded by roses, rose this and rose that. He had numerous ideas in his head, hoping that at least some of them were doable. One thing he wanted to do for sure was to buy roses, by the hundreds and thousands, and give it all to her. He had to make up for lost time for not giving her roses. Lost time was eight years plus a few months. Heck, he'd even buy her the entire place if she wanted it. All roses, just for her.

"We're here!" Narcissa and Giselle said in unison as they clapped their hands excitedly.

"Whooptidoo…" Lucius grumbled.

When they pulled up in front of the inn, Narcissa and Giselle were the first ones to get out of the limo, with everyone else following behind.

"Bacon!" Hermione exclaimed happily when she saw him running towards her. She squatted down, ready to be greeted by his wet kisses, but it didn't happen. Instead Bacon rushed to Severus who was standing right next to her, jumping at him, enjoying a nice pet."Really?" she cocked an eye brow down at Bacon as she stood up. "You only meet him now, and you like him better than me?"

"Don't be jealous Hermione," Severus said with a small chuckle. He was an animal lover, and could clearly see that Bacon was quite playful. But how did Hermione know him?

"Looks like Bacon approves of Severus," Alice commented as she walked out the front entrance with Dean and Philippe behind her.

"True, otherwise I'd have to dump him," Hermione said with a small curl on her lip as she glanced at Severus for a brief moment before walking to them. She then greeted the three of them with hugs and introduced them to her friends.

Dump him? Alice of the rose farm was the same as Hermione's Alice? There were numerous questions that just popped up in his head all at once as he stood back and watch Hermione introduce everyone else to each other. And there was something else familiar. He recognized the place with the front backdrop and all but couldn't remember exactly where he had seen it.

Alan too was also surprised to see Hermione's friend Alice, but obviously not as much as Severus.

"And Narcissa and Giselle here couldn't stop quit yapping about this place ever since the trip was planned. Very excited to see the roses," Hermione explained.

"You have the most beautiful roses in the world!" Giselle complimented.

"Thank you," Alice smiled, "But I can't take credit for them," she added looking at Hermione.

"Is everything ready?" Hermione suddenly asked, changing the subject. It wasn't the right time to bring it up. Too soon, she thought.

"Yes," Philippe replied.

"Excellent," Hermione said as she clapped her hand once and looked at Giselle. "Since it is your birthday, I've arranged for a fabulous gourmet picnic. And all of you will not be disappointed with the food. It will be possibly the best you've ever tasted."

"That means you'll be gaining some weight Father," Draco told his father, earning a glare back from him. Since his old man wouldn't be interested in roses at all, he would focus his interests on food. After all, Lucius was never one to turn down food.

"But first," Alice said as she turned to Hermione. "Someone inside wants to see you. It's important."

Suddenly, it came to Severus. He knew exactly why it seemed so familiar. He remembered the photo of Hermione smiling with a rose tucked behind her ear, and the inn in the backdrop. She had been here before. This was her special getaway place.

AN – Doubtful Hermione yet again, can you blame her? Now some of Sev's questions have been answered. The outcome, truth, and reactions are getting closer. But who is the important person that wants to see Hermione? Review!