Where is Hermione Granger and where will she be after the holidays?
The elusive third member of the Golden Trio managed to avoid our cameras for the entire of the Hogwarts school year, and now that she has finished her term and sat what we may reveal to be eight NEWTs, one can only ask—where is she now? It may be the summer holidays, but all likely locations of employment have told us that she did not put in an application. Yes, it seems that the esteemed Hermione Granger does not plan to work in the bowels of the Ministry of Magic. Nor, would it seem, St. Mungo's. With eight NEWTs, Granger no doubt has something intellectual planned, but it seems that she is doing a good job of keeping that secretive. We ran into Ronald Weasley, once believed to be Granger's fiance, and managed to ask him a few questions to see if he had any insight to give.
"I don't know where she is, honest. Knowing her, she's always got something to do. She values her privacy, so I would not be surprised if she's purposely avoiding you all."
On asking why he, Harry Potter, and his only sister were spotted outside Severus Snape's former muggle house:
"No comment."
This article has been updated to include an update from Harry Potter:
"We visited Severus Snape's house upon hearing that he was moving away as we intended to properly thank him for his role in bringing down Voldemort, expecting that it would be much harder to locate him after he leaves his publicly documented residence."
To read more on the rare sightings of Hogwarts former Potion's Master this summer, turn to page four. To hear more about the surprisingly isolated life Hermione Granger led while in her seventh year from her classmates, continue to the next page.
"So I started looking into spaces for rent or sale."
"Spaces?"
They were having breakfast, and Bryan still looked bleary. To Hermione, he appeared younger than his eighteen years with his hair stuck up in the back, and she chuckled a bit.
"Yes, spaces. For the bookshop. I can't sit around doing nothing for too long."
"Oh, that."
"It would have to be in a different location, wouldn't it?"
"Chew before you swallow, Johnny. And yes, I doubt the same exact building would be vacant twenty some years earlier. So you are correct, it won't be in the same place."
"Did you find anything?"
"I didn't dig too deep, but I ran across an ad running vacancies in Buttermere, Kirklinton, Harrogate, and Alston. Cumbria heavy, obviously."
"Harrogate? Isn't that—"
"Yeah, it's around an hour away from the old place. Severus, are you busy these upcoming days?"
Though he was following the conversation, it still surprised him to be addressed so suddenly. "Not at all. One of these days I'll put in an ad of my own for potions, but I'm enjoying myself at the moment. Why?"
"I wanted to check out some of these places. Obviously, Buttermere is a gorgeous small town that I wouldn't mind living in, but I don't see it as a place to start a business. I did some research, and the combined population of the three Cumbrian towns is under 1,500."
"I don't see that working out for you."
"I know. Harrogate, on the other hand, alone has over 75,000. And people could easily drive up from neighboring towns."
"You sound settled."
"Not even close! There's much more to it than population size. Severus, will you?"
"Check out the vacancies with you? Sure."
The boys had been silent thus far, not knowing enough about geography to pitch in. Now, however, Bryan coughed and spoke. "Dad, you do know that she's asking for something a little more, don't you?"
"Am not!" However, the amused smile on her face gave it away.
"What am I missing?"
"Clearly, Mum doesn't think the tiny Cumbrian villages are viable for business. However, due to—what did she call it?—them being gorgeous small towns, she would like to enjoy the sights with you." Johnny raised an eyebrow at his father, pretending to look extremely disappointed. "Do you even know your own w—do you even know her?"
Everyone pretended to brush his slip-up away. Hermione, in particular, quickly deflected. "Why, you have me all figured out, Johnny."
"I should hope so."
"Can I come?" Roman put down his fork with a clang. "I mean, I love it here and all but a change of scenery would always be nice."
Bryan made sure his youngest brother wasn't looking before winking at his mother. "Roman, Mum and Dad just want some alone time without needy ten-year-olds asking if they can stay attached to their hips forever and ever."
"Please? Just me would be much easier than all three of us."
"Kid, that's taking it too far!" Bryan pretended to be offended while Johnny just laughed.
"What? It's the truth!"
Finally, Hermione decided to intervene. "I never intended to leave you three here. If you haven't gotten tired of me yet, then who am I to object?"
"Really? But Bryan said—"
"Exactly. Bryan said."
Roman's lips rounded in understanding.
"Get a load of this tosh," Draco muttered, grabbing the Prophet from where it lay on his coffee table and throwing it in front of Astoria. "As if Potter would ever speak so eloquently."
"Oh, I read that this morning. Did you flip to the next page?"
"No, but I'll do it now." He took the paper back from her and spent a few minutes reading recounts of miscellaneous interviews given by people who obviously didn't know Hermione that well, although he had to admit that some of their descriptions were spot on. As a whole, they painted a picture of a secluded girl who wasn't seen too often outside of mealtimes, classes, and patrols. There were mentions of her friendship with the Weaslette, Bryan Sawyer, and even… himself. He looked up. "You referring to my short mention?"
"Totally. Thought you'd get a kick out of it. Did you even read it? 'Short' is not how I'd describe it, especially comparing to the one-liner with Ginny Weasley. Here." She took the paper back from him to read aloud.
"Rising sixth year Donagh Hawkins told us that despite not making any new friends, Hermione Granger had what was believed to be an understanding with Draco Malfoy. Hawkins alleges to have seen the two of them sitting together out on the quidditch pitch right before the end of term. Could the brightest witch of her time, known for her past relationships with famed Bulgarian seeker Victor Krum and Harry Potter, be looking to have her shot at the Malfoy fortune? That would be sure to send Lucius Malfoy to his early grave, if the dementors don't do it first!"
"There was that much more?!" Draco snuck up closer to Astoria so he wouldn't have to take the paper from her for a second time. "Oh. There really was. Missed that. She's going to hate that they claimed she had a relationship with Potter."
"She didn't?" Astoria felt Draco's presence behind her and leaned back slightly so they were touching. "Honestly, we all know so little about her. Depending on the day of the week and how the papers are feeling, she's either a repressed virgin or—pardon my French—a total whore. The press can be cruel. If I were her, I'd get a lawyer."
"She's done better."
"How so?" Astoria nabbed one of the biscuits that a Malfoy elf had deposited in front of them earlier.
"She's made the decision to live her life completely out of the spotlight. The press won't be able to find her if they tried."
"Really? How does that work? Surely she'd be spotted here and there, with a face as well-known as hers."
Draco's response was interrupted by Narcissa, who took that moment to make her presence known. "Astoria! Draco didn't tell me he was having you over."
"His fault, not mine," she responded plainly. "I didn't tell him not to tell you." She finished her sentence with a big smile. "Hello again, Mrs. Malfoy."
"That's Narcissa to you."
Draco felt he was being completely ignored as the two almost exuberantly greeted each other. When did that happen?
"Look at you, all brown and freckled!"
"Surely you exaggerate." Bryan gave a good-natured smile to Lia as they took a seat at a table in Fortescue's. "What are you ordering?"
"I think I'll skip today. It's just, you know I love ice cream, but I regret it every time after I finish eating."
"Why would you regret it?"
Lia gave Bryan a look that made him think the answer would be obvious. "I mean, once you finish it, you no longer crave it; in fact sometimes you feel a bit stuffed, and you think to yourself, oh, I could have felt wonderful without this big chunk of butter and cream lodged in my stomach."
"You're funny."
"No! I bet your mother would understand! It's a female thing."
Bryan's eyes drifted upward as he envisioned all the times his mum had enjoyed a cone. She couldn't remember her ever passing the opportunity by or telling any of them that she regretted it. "Nope. Maybe you're just having too much at once. Though I've seen your portions before, so I doubt that."
Lia made a face.
"Well, I'll get a key lime pie flavoured one, and you can tell me later if you still want to skip." He went up to order while Lia stayed where she was, staring down at her twiddling fingers.
Honestly, it was a bit more than worrying over the calorie value of ice cream. They had arranged to see each other in Diagon Alley and then head off to Bryan's home to meet his parents. The butterflies had been in her stomach ever since. She knew it was irrational of her, and she doubted that Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer stressed even a fraction as much as she had for the past few days. Still, she knew it would be wise not to indulge on that cone today—for everyone's sake, lest she sick up all over the Sawyer floor.
"Got you one."
Lia looked up to see Bryan grinning at her and holding out what must have been the smallest cone in existence. "You were talking about a big chunk? You can't seriously tell me this little bit will upset your stomach. I know it's small, but we can go back and get more if it's too small."
She accepted, shaking her head at her boyfriend in amusement. "Only for you." Though she tried to savour it, it really was small enough to fit in her mouth in one bite. "Where'd you get a cone this small, anyway?"
"Look closely at it. Oh wait, you've finished it already. Damn. I just had them snip off the bottom of a normal-sized cone. Worked as expected." He dug into his own cone, and Lia giggled at the light green cream that stuck to the corner of his mouth.
"Did you go on vacation, or has it been exceptionally warm and sunny in Germany?"
"Yes to the vacation, but meh to the exceptionally warm and sunny bit. It was warm and sunny where we went, yes, but thankfully not too much. My dad and brothers all burn really easily. Even though I'm the only one who got my mum's ability to tan, I'm still not overly fond of the heat."
"Like I said. Brown and freckled. You didn't use to have that one or that one or that one." She pointed out three of the many new freckles that had appeared on his face.
"Yes, well imagine Johnny's face then. And Roman! His shoulders were peeling. Serves him right for not wanting a farmer's tan."
"Poor kid. So where did you go?"
"Lake District. Really wet, actually, and the temperature didn't get much higher than 15. What you're seeing is from the summer heat where we regularly live."
"Any fun stories?"
Bryan thought for a moment. The times were more fun than funny, but there was the one time… "Dad's not amazing at muggle stuff. He got stuck in one of those spinning gates that unlock for you when you insert a valid ticket—nevermind, I see that you don't get what I'm talking about. It was funny, though."
"I thought your family spent a lot of time in the muggle world?"
"We did. However…" Bryan gave her a serious look. "I told you my familial situation was a bit different than others. It will make much more sense when you meet my dad—and my mum."
"'It'? I don't see anything so confusing about growing up in Germany or having a parent who suffered after the war."
Bryan leaned in closer to Lia, his voice automatically becoming quieter. "About that. Yes, I absolutely did grow up in Germany, but we won't be going there today—I don't live there anymore. At least, not currently. I do intend to go back."
"You moved?"
"In a manner of speaking, yes."
By now, Bryan had just about finished his cone. "I'm surprised you didn't ask for any of mine," he said light-heartedly. "I was really counting on poking fun of you when you did."
"Sucks for you. You ready to go, then?"
"Yeah." Bryan scourgified the few crumbs that had fallen off his wafer cone and stood with Lia following suit. "Ready?"
Those it was completely unnecessary—a hand would have done—he wrapped his arms around Lia's middle and nuzzled closer to her before they disappeared with a crack.
When they landed, Lia glanced at the picturesque scene in front of her with awe. "Without knowing anything about your previous home, I can understand why you moved here."
"Eh. It's probably not what you're thinking." He gently led her toward the cottage. "Now, promise me you won't be too angry that I kept it from you. It's sensitive, especially because we value our privacy."
Such words bewildered her, but she took it all in stride. Lia observed as Bryan easily opened the door and took a cursory glance around before shouting, "Mum! We're here!"
Within seconds, Hermione came skidding over. She took one look at the confused expression on Lia face and gave her eldest a disapproving look. "You didn't tell her?"
"You were the one who always preached show not tell."
"That's for writing, you nutter." She turned and gave Lia a big smile. "Hiya. I know we've met, quite recently too, in fact, but I'd like to formally introduce myself as this big fool's mother."
"Very funny," Lia smiled at Hermione. Obviously, she didn't consider for one second that the other girl was serious. "Is your aunt home?"
"My aunt? My aunt's in America. Haven't seen her in years." She gave a toothy, lopsided grin. "You're not looking for her, that's for sure. How about I bring my hus—" Hermione faltered, losing a bit of her liveliness. Just a bit. "How about I bring Bryan's father here, and then we'll launch into explanations? Here, follow me." They had been standing in the doorway, and Hermione ushered them in toward the sitting room. "I'll be right back."
Lia blinked at her retreating figure. "I'm a little bit confused. Either she's really good at keeping a straight face, or…?"
He didn't have the chance to reply as Hermione returned, all but dragging a reluctant Severus. Lia's mouth dropped open, and she automatically moved closer to Bryan. As if suddenly remembering her manners, she inclined her head. "Professor Snape, hello. I wasn't expecting to see you, but… But nothing. Sorry."
To her surprise, her former professor gave her a kind smile. "Miss Rogers. My son seems to be quite taken with you."
Lia turned to Bryan in shock, though it should've been obvious, given what the whole visit was for. Bryan simply shrugged innocently.
"I thought... Sawyer?"
"Fake name."
Lia looked again at Hermione and Severus, observing the way the former latched onto the much taller man. She frowned, certain that she was missing something. "Your mother?" She asked Bryan. "Is she indeed in the states, as Hermione said?"
"I told you, I'm right here."
Lia stared skeptically at Hermione, but the other girl's face remained annoyingly straight.
"Let's take a seat on the couches so I seem less crazy," Hermione finally suggested. She pointed the area out to them, though she herself first went over to a cabinet to get some glasses and fill them with water. When she finally sat down, Lia stared at her expectantly.
"I am indeed Bryan's mother, not cousin. He hasn't got any, actually. First cousins, that is. Both Severus and I are only children, as far as I know."
"But you're—"
"Nineteen? Not quite." Hermione launched into the story of how they got here, becoming quite experienced at it by now. Lia's eyes went wide with disbelief, acceptance, and surprise at multiple parts. Severus noticed that the girl tried meeting his eyes a few times, though each time she demurely looked away. Poor thing—Bryan really ought to have given her some warning.
"So you see, Bryan really is mine and Severus's boy."
"I don't know what to—"
"Mum!" There was the sound of heavy footsteps clamoring down the stairs. "The turntable stopped working!" When he saw the company, Johnny blushed. "Hey," he greeted Lia. The girl smiled in response, glad to see the familiar face.
"You didn't hear me hollering that we were here?"
Johnny made a face at Bryan. "Course not. I like putting the music way up when I listen to it." Seeing that there was a guest, even if it was only Lia, he scampered away.
The arrival of one of Bryan's brothers evidently gave more credence to Hermione's story. She surveyed the scene uncertainly, unsure of what to say. Hermione gently put a hand in the air, telling her that she needn't say anything. "I know it's a lot to digest. Why don't you have Bryan show you around? The outside, that is. Not his room."
It was obviously a joke, but Lia blushed scarlet nonetheless. Her left hand reached out and tightened on Bryan's right wrist. "I'd appreciate that. Thanks, Hermione, I mean, Mrs… Snape?"
"Erm, Hermione will do." Curiously, she also had a bit of a blush on her face and was looking anywhere but at Severus. "We'll still be here if you want to break for refreshments."
The conversation had been uncomfortably lopsided, with Hermione doing nearly all the talking. Though Severus had remained silent after the initial greeting, his demeanor was much less severe that Lia remembered, and that alone was enough to paint a different picture of him. Still, it was a relief to be alone with Bryan again. He took her out to one of the grassy paths that eventually led to the sea.
"Are you angry with me?"
"Angry? That is so far from what I'm feeling. Surprised, shocked, in awe? I've never been one to hero-worship celebrities, but as far as celebrity parents go, you've got them. I finally understand your aversion to the press."
"You're merely surprised that I've kept something so monumental from you?"
Lia kicked at a stone. "Is there anything else to feel? As you said, this is monumental and something that you would not like outsiders to know. You and I… we're together, but I have no illusions. It's a Hogwarts romance. You had to have really trusted me to tell me this much."
Bryan stopped in his tracks. "Don't say that. My parents were Hog—nevermind, they weren't, but most British wizarding couples, especially from the older generations, are Hogwarts couples. I love you, and us being young doesn't have to taint that."
Lia's heart threatened to thrum out of her ribcage at those words, but she cowardly responded with something completely different. "It must have been horrible for you, losing him like that and then coming to a world where he was alive again but didn't know who you were."
Bryan sighed, though whether that was because of her change of topic or because of the memories her words brought up, she wasn't sure.
"It drove me mad, that's for sure." His face become much more emotional, with multiple expressions flitting across in seconds. "That man you just saw? He likes me, alright, but it's definitely less than I love him, and he'll forever be just this much—" He put his thumb and index finger together— "less than the father that raised me and be this much less than the Severus Snape I miss."
Lia put her hand on Bryan's shoulder with alarm. "Has he done something to upset you?"
"Not at all. In fact, he's been wonderful, and I'm scared. How does a man change so quickly? How quickly would such a man change back?"
"Oh, Bryan." Lia gently stroked his cheek. "I don't profess to know the first thing about your family, but I believe in the goodness of people. Obviously, he 'changed,' as you call it, because he discovered all these people who loved him more than anything. When that happens to a man who previously had no one, well, that's bound to make an impact. Give him more time to show you that he's genuine, if that's what you're afraid of."
Bryan looked out at the sea, not addressing her when he responded. "It is. I'm just… I'm at such an awkward age. I'm not cute like Roman, and even Johnny is cutting it close. He doesn't get to raise me anymore. And it's upsetting."
"Does a true father ever stop raising his children? You can be miles away from his roof, and he'd still in theory have more wisdom to impart on you." Lia offered him a wry smile, and that for some reason brought Bryan out of his angst.
"Just talk to him. Spend more time with him, and if it needs to be one-on-one, then make it one-on-one. Heck, kick a ball around with him. For the life of me, I can't imagine Professor Snape playing football—I don't even much understand it myself, besides what you've explained to me—but if that's what it takes..." Lia trailed off, giving Bryan an encouraging smile.
Bryan avoided her gaze again, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "Look at me. I should be the one comforting you after springing that on you! Gods, let's keep walking. You haven't truly seen the sea yet."
"So there you have it. Lia Rogers. What kind of student was she?"
Hermione and Severus remained sat on the couch, neither of them speaking of the elephant in the room.
"Not amazing at potions, but adequate in theory. She very rarely raised her hand, but she almost always knew the answer if called on." Delicately, he gave her a side eye. "I much prefer that kind of student to the opposite."
"Fancy that. Tell me something I didn't know." Hermione chose to ignore the not-so-subtle dig toward her childish behavior in classes.
"When intertwined with luktegrass and mixed with a drop of brine, phosgene becomes odorless."
"What?"
"You asked for something you didn't know."
"Se-ver-us."
"Yes?"
Now that it was just the two of them, it was odd for them to be seated in the way they were when no one was opposite them. Hermione rectified that be budging closer to him, burrowing into his side. "I'm going to kiss you now," she stated matter-of-factly.
"I didn't believe a warning was—" Their lips connected, and he automatically lifted her onto his lap.
"Out in the open now? You're getting more and more brazen," Hermione whispered into his mouth.
"You're one to talk." He raised an eyebrow at her before tilting his head downwards to stare openly at her hand, which had headed south.
She had just managed to unbutton his trousers when reality set in. "We can't do this here. Any of them could be here in seconds. It's one thing to be caught by the boys but a whole other to leave such an impression on Lia, should she and Bryan choose to return now."
"You think?" he drawled. "I was waiting to see how long it took you."
"Jerk. Upstairs?"
"Yes."
Swiftly, both rose and awkwardly made for the staircase. Severus's hands never fully left Hermione, and she kept leaning back into his touch. "Just wait till the kids are gone. Then we won't be so restricted." They were nearly at the top of the stairs when Johnny's door was flung open.
"Oh good, you're done talking with Lia. Mum, Dad, can you check out my turntable? I tried making sure everything was level and cleaning off the needle."
Hermione immediately made sure that she was standing in front of Severus—she already was—so that his clothed but engorged nether regions were hidden from view.
"Not now. I need to show your mother something."
His statement caused Hermione to burst into giggles.
"Come on, Dad. Please! I already waited patiently and didn't pull you two away when you were busy downstairs."
"It can wait."
Hermione turned around, clearly amused by him. He suspected that she was losing her arousal just as he was with every passing second. "I'll go check it out. You can show me whatever it was you needed to show me later." Without further ado, she blew him a raspberry and made her way into Johnny's room. Cockblocking bastard.
When Bryan and Lia returned, they looked rosy. Hermione raised an eyebrow at their appearance but made no comment. She asked if the other girl planned to stay for dinner, and after some brief thought, Lia answered in the negative, not wanting to be an inconvenience.
"I meant to say it earlier, but just in case you were worried I'd take any of this badly—I'm not and I won't. It's actually so cool. Now I get even more why you were interested in finding out more about me." Lia hovered by the door, seemingly unsure of whether she wanted to head out or stay and make conversation. Bryan remained at the door, prepared to walk her out when she was ready.
"I should be making my way home for dinner," Lia finally said. "It's been really lovely here, and I look forward to getting to know you more."
"Just me?" Hermione did her best Severus-impression and raised one eyebrow. "Not the big, bad, ahem—fifty points from Gryff—I mean Ravenclaw?"
Lia laughed nervously and fidgeted. "Him too, of course. And Johnny and Roman, if I get the chance. Alright, I really ought to be going now." She waved and started heading toward Bryan.
"Safe travels."
"Oh!" Lia turned again. "I'll probably see you before then, but good luck with your pregnancy."
Out of the corner of her eye, Hermione could see Bryan rolling his eyes while Lia blushed. "Thanks. I'll sure have my hands full, eh?" She smiled to their backs as the two of them left through the door, presumably to have a private farewell or whatever it was kids these days did. Behind her, she heard Severus's footsteps.
"That was an abysmal impression of me. Furthermore, I don't recall ever taking fifty points from Ravenclaw this term. Only you Gryffindors warranted that." He plopped down onto the couch, pulling her down with him.
"Well, fuck. What impression should I have done?" A sudden smirk graced her features, and she put a finger to his lips, effectively silencing him. "How about, 'not now, Johnny. I need to show your mother my cock.'"
"That is not what I said."
"I'm not that far off."
The sudden blaring of the music upstairs cut them off.
"Is that..."
"It certainly isn't German."
They both strained their ears, trying to figure out what language Johnny's music was in.
"Where did he get a Swedish LP?"
"Beats me. Maybe my parents' tastes are more diverse than I thought."
Just as the music began to become calmer, it also softened to the point that the couple could no longer hear it.
"That's that, I suppose. Just as I was getting into it." Hermione gave him a wry smile and glanced at the clock. "About time to go pick up Roman though, so it might've been better that we didn't have the chance to really absorb it."
"We? That was all you."
She rolled his eyes. "When he's done with it, I'm going to go have a listen with that particular LP. Anyway, are you going to the Knobels or me?" Bryan made his way back in just then, looking somewhat bereft without his girlfriend. Hermione caught his eye and silently asked him to stay downstairs. "On second thought, I'll go," she said, looking between the two. "Will be back soon. Don't want dinner getting too cold." Without further ado, she began changing her appearance and popped out when she was finished.
Bryan glanced at his father, shrugging.
"So, Miss Rogers," Severus awkwardly began. "She's alright with everything?"
Sensing that a conversation was about to take place, Bryan slid into place on the couch. "Just call her Lia. Yeah, she's pretty amazing. I just wish..."
"Yes?"
"I wish she didn't accept everything so easily. I just feel like... I dunno, like the world's gonna take advantage of her at some point. She's too nice to everyone. If I were her, I would've yelled at me for keeping something like this from me. I wouldn't have had it in me to turn it around and sympathize with my situation."
"You believe you keep unloading your baggage on her and she keeps taking it without complaint, which leaves you feeling guilty."
"Exactly." Bryan looked up at his father in surprise.
"You're like me." Severus gazed intently at his eldest. "While you're nice enough, you won't go out of your way to put any stranger before you. I understand Miss Rogers is no stranger to you, but I mean in general. While self-serving is not the correct word—I've seen how caring you are to your mother—circumstances have made it so that you often need to fend for yourself in certain situations."
Bryan nodded wordlessly.
"My advice to you may seem hollow, but it is what it is: you can't change the kind of person she is, and neither should you try, as what you described is something quite positive about her. Simply don't take her for granted."
His son smiled at him—somewhat shyly—and rose. Lia's earlier words echoed in his head. And not counting Johnny upstairs, it was just the two of them currently. "Can you... can you come with me?"
With no lack of curiosity, Severus got up as well. "Is something the matter?"
"No, only I wanted to..." Bryan faltered, trying to think of another route. "Have you ever played football before?" With a tilt of his head, he gestured for his father to follow him out.
"I'm fairly sure you know the answer to that." Dreading what he guessed was about to happen, he nonetheless followed Bryan outside. "Your mother should be back soon," he hedged.
"Yeah, right. Trust me, she'll spend a while chit-chatting with Cerulean's mum to figure out what kind of family Roman's hanging out with. Even more, Roman will take forever to leave. I know him."
Suitably trapped, Severus could only stare with his lips pursed. In the blink of an eye, Bryan was holding a football—he hadn't even seen him holding it—or was it transfigured?
"Daaaad. You can't be standing so stiff! Your shoes also aren't suitable. May I?"
Not sure what he was agreeing to, Severus nodded mutely. He watched as the shoes on his feet were transfigured into something more athletic.
"I would've gone with cleats, but that might've taken it a bit too far. Baby steps." Moving forward, he used his wand to draw out some boundary lines, including two goals at either end of the rectangle he'd marked out on the grass. Dropping the ball onto the ground, he sent it over to his father. "Just kick it back to me however you naturally would, and I'll observe your form and give you pointers."
Feeling completely ridiculous at this point, Severus figured that he had nothing to lose. Looking behind his shoulder, he confirmed that no stray eyes were observing his every moment and kicked the ball. It was much lighter than he expected, and his kick sent the damn thing flying far past Bryan, who attempted to use his head to stop it in motion. Only it was too high.
"Easy, Dad. I'm right here, not a mile away." Jogging in the direction of the ball, Bryan located and dribbled it back up. "Are your toes tingling?"
His toes were, in fact, feeling uncomfortable.
"That's because you're not supposed to kick with your toes. I mean, normally. I'm not going to get into the exceptions now. For the most part, you kick with this part." He walked over closer and stood on one leg to point out the inside of the one foot he wasn't standing on. "Better control that way. Try again." Demonstrating the action more clearly, he rearranged his position, swung his right foot back, and gently brought it forward, aiming it perfectly over to his father.
"I look ridiculous."
Bryan beamed. "Maybe to outsiders, but they're not seeing this. I think you look great. Would love to see you in full uniform one day."
"That is not happening."
"Just kick the ball, will you?"
Trying to remember how Bryan had done it, Severus raised his dominant foot and let it fall forward. Unfortunately, he adjusted his force too much from his first attempt, and though his aim was perfect, it didn't roll all the way over to its target. He heard a chuckle.
"You don't have to raise your foot that far. That was just me showing you." Bryan had reached the ball again, juggling it on his knees as he talked. "Kick it harder if you'd like. As long as it's not too high in the air like that first one, I should be able to stop it. Here." Once again, he sent the ball over.
This time, Severus's kick was good. Bryan stopped it in motion and rolled it up to his hands, catching it. "Alright, I know this isn't the logical next step, but I'm dying to see this, and I'm not sure how much time we have left before Mum gets back."
Severus did not like the smirk on his eldest's face.
"I'm going to throw the ball at you, somewhere above your waist level, and you try to return it to me with anything but your hand, okay?"
"What?" He panicked; this was not happening. "No! What makes you think I can do that?"
"That's the point. You can't. So I'll help you." He tossed the ball over, and his father's reflexes were quick enough that he scooted to the right to avoid being hit.
"This isn't dodge ball, Dad!"
It was like a walk of shame for Severus, turning around to retrieve the ball he'd expertly dodged. When he was back, Bryan was giving him an encouraging smile.
"Throw it at me—at my head, actually—and I'll show you what I mean."
He did so, a small part of him wanting to get revenge for being put through this whole charade. It might've gone better if he hadn't missed so spectacularly. By the time the ball made its way over to Bryan, it had already begun falling from its descent, and far from being level with his head, Bryan had to chest trap the ball.
"Well, that's one example. If it goes toward your midsection, do that." Bryan once again threw the ball out, and his father looked like he was about to get it, but the sound of a pop distracted him, and in the second that he looked toward the sound, the ball had bounced off his head.
"You trying to give your old man a concussion?" Hermione came over, surveying the scene with amusement. Roman rushed in and retrieved the ball, kicking it to Bryan so the two could begin a steady passing drill.
"Hey, you're intruding on my private lesson with Dad!" Though it was said lightly, he was indeed disappointed that they were interrupted.
"The lesson is over." Then, surprising everyone, he walked over to Bryan and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "I suppose a repeat at another time wouldn't kill me." It was said softly enough that only the two could hear.
Bryan could not help the beam that appeared on his face. "Yeah, well, shame we didn't get to actually get to goal scoring." He pointed at the goals he'd drawn out earlier. "Dinner, then?"
"Yes."
Hermione had already headed in, but as Roman had the ball, he aimed a magnificent kick at the goal farthest to him, cheering when it went perfectly down the middle.
"Dude, that was an unguarded goal. Nothing to be proud of."
"So? I bet Dad wouldn't have been able to get that in, unguarded or not."
Bryan snorted loudly at that, looking at his father to see his reaction. He didn't look particularly offended, but he was giving Roman a playful glare.
Happy Friday, y'all! I can reveal that there are two more chapters, and if all goes to plan, I'll have them both out this weekend. Crazy, innit? x
