Author's Note: I know several people have commented about grammar errors and such. This is just something I do for fun. I have a Masters in English, but I don't use a beta-reader or anything on here. I type, read once, catch things, and then post. Usually, I'll go through the chapters and catch other things at a later date. I apologize for those errors, but this is just a fun, creative outlet for me. On another note, you guys are SO awesome at reviewing. Keep it up! :)
"Why didn't you tell me earlier, Hermione?" He asked suddenly, and pulled away from her. "Was this... A trap?"
"What? No! Of course not!" She said. "I honestly thought you knew! The Prophet did a huge write up on him moving there, interview and all, when he moved ... What's it been... Three years ago now? I thought you would've seen it."
He narrowed his eyes. He was studying her face and her body language. She didn't appear to be lying. "I have not read The Daily Prophet much since the war ended."
"I... Didn't know," She said. "I guess I should have figured that out, though, since I've never seen you read it yet..." She rubbed at the back of her neck. "You honestly thought I'd trap you?"
He was very still as he looked at her. Then, he broke eye contact. "Going there... I am..." He stumbled for words with such heavy sadness.
"Okay," She said. "I'm so sorry, Severus. I'm such a fool. I should have mentioned it earlier. I ... I shouldn't have assumed anything," She said.
"No," He said quietly. "You shouldn't have."
She bit her bottom lip. "I'll tell them you're covering detention for me."
He looked back at her. There was grief and sorrow painted all over his face. "It is your birthday," He whispered.
"It's my own bloody fault," She said. "I'm not upset with you at all."
He hung his head and nodded. "I..." He clenched his jaw.
"I understand," She said.
He looked at her helplessly. "If I go with you, we will only be inside the house, or does Potter make a habit of strutting about the street?"
"We'd be inside," She said. "It's just dinner, maybe cards, and then we'd come straight back here." He studied her face for a moment, and then closed his eyes. She could sense his anxiety. "I don't know if you should do this, Severus..."
He flinched, disliking her calling attention to his vulnerable state. "Do you honestly think this could be more traumatizing than the last time I stepped foot on that street?" His voice was cold.
"I... Wasn't..." She said.
"I know," He said and his voice softened. He gritted his teeth. "We're late."
"You do not have to go, Severus. Your nightmares have been far less frequent. This... will probably make them worse..."
"They are already going to be worse," He pointed out.
"Please, Severus," She said. "I don't want to push you into something that's going to hurt you. I should've asked if you knew. You can stay here. I absolutely understand."
He growled. "No, you do not. You cannot possibly understand. I'd sooner throw myself at the Dark Lord's feet all over again than stand on that fucking street, but it's your birthday, and your friend."
She flinched. "I am sorry I didn't ask..."
"Stop apologizing," He said. His eyes met hers.
"Is there... anything I can do?"
"Perhaps a change in friends..." He grumbled. She smiled slightly, but her eyes filled with tears. He hated that she was crying. "Absolutely none of that," He chided lightly.
She swiped at her cheeks. "It was such a huge story, Severus. I swear I thought you knew..."
He touched his finger underneath her chin. "Enough," He commanded. "Let's go."
She calmed herself, and watched as he poured every ounce of his strength into his shields. He looked every bit the formidable Potions professor. He stepped into the Floo and she followed him. They disappeared in green flames and reappeared in a cozy two story home.
"There they are!" Harry greeted. "Happy birthday, Hermione!" He hugged her. He nodded at Snape, who merely looked at him flatly.
"Happy birthday, Mione," Ron said and hugged her with one arm. He eyed Snape, who was not even affording him eye contact. Lavender waved hello to both of them, but her hands were filled with Harry's son, and Ginny pulled Hermione into a warm hug.
Severus, paying little attention to whatever chatter was going on around him, eyed the front door, which he could see down the hall. His dark eyes stared at it as if it might burst open and show him that treacherous street at any moment. Dragging his eyes away from the door as everyone began to sit at the table, Hermione caught his eyes. He merely blinked and then sat.
"How's the first couple weeks of the term been?" Harry asked both Hermione and Severus.
Severus had very little interest in small talk ever, and even less so in the present circumstances. Hermione engaged in the conversation as Ginny magically distributed the food. He had absolutely no appetite at all, but realized he'd have to force himself to eat as much as he could because he was sure Ginny Weasley was her mother's daughter. He could feel Ron's eyes on him. The whole ordeal was uncomfortable enough without taking into account that they were in a Godric's Hollow.
"And for you?" Harry asked.
The silence at the table startled Severus, and he looked at Harry. The emerald eyes narrowed, and he found those eyes more unsettling than usual. "The term has begun like many others. There is nothing unusual or noteworthy."
"Except for the fact you're married now," Ron grumbled as he stuck a forkful of food into his mouth. "Figured that might have put a bit of pep in your step," Ron teased.
Severus's black eyes focused intently on Ron's face, and Ron squirmed under the glare. "Potter asked about the start of term, not my personal life," He sneered.
Ron opened his mouth, but Lavender's elbow slammed into his rib cage, and he winced and shut his mouth. Severus focused his eyes on his plate as he ate small bites. He was never a big eater, but he was trying not to draw attention to himself. His tension was palpable, but the people around him were used to a very tense Snape.
"Would anyone like any wine?" Harry offered as he undid a cork. He poured Ron a glass, and Hermione. He looked at Severus, who shook his head. Harry's eyes narrowed again. He'd been around Severus infrequently since the end of the war, but something was off with him, and Harry was perceptive enough to catch onto it.
After dinner, Hermione followed Ginny into the kitchen in search of more wine. Harry stood, and followed the two witches. He raised an eyebrow and gestured toward the kitchen, where Severus still sat at the table. Hermione shook her head in answer.
"You're awfully quiet, Snape," Ron said. "Are you ill or something?"
Severus studied him. "I tend to feel rather ill in your presence, Weasley, yes."
Ron laughed. "It's mutual," The ginger haired wizard said and tipped his wine glass toward Severus, who merely frowned. He hadn't liked Ron as a student. He was exceedingly lazy, but as an adult, Ron had been slightly less annoying. Probably because Severus hardly ever had to see him.
"Leave him alone, Ronald," Hermione said as she sat back down next to Severus.
Harry and Ginny disappeared upstairs briefly to put the baby to bed, and they were back in a few minutes. Hermione inquired as to how Lavender was feeling with her first pregnancy, and the two Gryffindors seemed pretty excited about the experience. Severus was gradually getting more and more uneasy with being back in this neighborhood. Ginny brought out slices of cake for everyone, and Severus could hardly stomach a singe bite. Hermione touched her knee to his under the table.
"Alright, what's going on?" Harry asked bluntly. Severus's eyes snapped to Harry's face and the black depths began glittering dangerously. "Something's going on. What is it?" The Auror in Potter had made him all-too perceptive.
"Nothing, Harry," Hermione said. "Shall we play a couple rounds of cards?"
Ron nodded, trying to break the tension, but Harry was undeterred. Snape's tension was setting Harry's teeth on edge, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd done something to piss Snape off.
"If we've annoyed you..." Harry started and Snape rolled his eyes.
"We always annoy him, mate," Ron acknowledged.
"Harry, let it go," Hermione asked.
"Harry..." Ginny warned, sensing Hermione's anxiety.
"I am feeling rather ill," Severus said. "I will excuse myself." He stood and practically fled the kitchen, and Hermione followed him
She cast a Muffliato as he approached the fireplace. "Severus, wait..."
He stood with his back to her. "I need to leave."
"I'll go with you. Let me grab my jacket."
He shook his head. "No. It is your birthday," He said. "Stay with your friends."
She bit her bottom lip. "Are you... okay?"
He turned to her and then he scowled, noticing Potter was standing in the doorway, though he'd hear nothing but buzzing in his ears. He disapparated on the spot. Hermione cancelled the Muffliato. She looked at Harry, who was studying her.
"What's going on?"
"He's not feeling well," She said and shook her head.
Harry cast a Muffliato of his own. "Right, because not feeling well needs one of these."
Hermione sighed. "He doesn't like being here..."
"At my house?"
"No," She said quickly. "Well, probably, but more specifically he doesn't like being in Godric's Hollow."
Harry paled. "I... Ah... He didn't know where I live?"
"Apparently not," She said.
"Bloody hell, Hermione..." He said. "D'you know where he went?"
"No," She said. She had no idea off the top of her head where Severus would have disapparated too, but she knew it wouldn't have been back to their quarters. He'd been far too on edge. "I feel horrible."
"It's your birthday. Even Snape wouldn't want you to feel bad today," Harry said and put an arm around her shoulders, "C'mon. Extra wine for you."