"'Time-related magic is unstable, and serious breaches in the laws of time result in catastrophic events. Possible scenarios include a wizard or witch killing their past or future self by mistake, or altering one's life path in such a drastic fashion that it can result in temporal anomalies such as un-births.' Oh, great. Well, that's nice. I've probably created an alternate timeline where Harry Potter was never born," Hermione mocked as she threw the book down on the coffee table in Snape's sitting room.
"Are you always this emotional while reading?" Snape teased as he placed a hot cup of tea down on the table in front of Hermione and then picked up the book to examine its cover.
"Only when the reading describes how I'm destroying time as we know it," Hermione grumbled.
"'The History of Time-Turners and Time-Related Magic authored by Professor Saul Croaker,' Snape read aloud as he retrieved the book from the coffee table. "And you found this book… where?"
"In the library, of course," Hermione replied as she picked up her cup of tea.
"You snuck off to the library?"
"Your collection isn't exactly riveting."
Hermione giggled as Snape made a show of rolling his eyes before sitting down next to her on the sofa, a second hot cup of tea in his hands. As he sipped from his cup, the wizard thumbed lightly through the book. Once satisfied with what he had seen, he returned the book to the table and leaned back comfortably.
"Would you like to accompany me to Hogsmeade this evening?" Snape asked suddenly.
It was a warm Saturday afternoon in April. Hermione had been stuck in 1997 with Snape for barely over a month. During that time, the pair's relationship had surprisingly evolved from one of student and professor to one of fast friends. They were now on a first-name basis and were quite comfortable around one another. Whenever Snape's schedule was open, the two were together, either in Snape's private quarters or in his office. Snape had even taken to eating as many meals as he could in his private quarters with Hermione without drawing suspicion. For the most part, their time spent together was filled with lengthy conversations, though Snape would occasionally employ Hermione's help in grading students' assignments or preparing lessons. Despite these advancements in their relationship, Snape was still a cold and vindictive man who took pleasure in being superior, a personality Hermione struggled with at times. However, Hermione had seen private parts of Snape that she knew to be softer than he let on, and it was those parts that kept pressing her to know more of the wizard.
So far, the pair had managed to keep Hermione's presence in the past a complete secret, though they were still unsure of how she would return to her own time in the future. While Hermione greatly enjoyed her time with Snape, her lingering in the past was beginning to take a toll on her both emotionally and physically. She felt as if she might go mad being trapped in Snape's private quarters all of the time with very little to do. She missed her family and friends dearly, as well as her career that kept her on her toes; she longed to be back in her own time. There was also no denying that Hermione only continued to grow increasingly exhausted each passing day. More days than not, the young witch would go to bed early or sleep well into the morning, never able to fully regain her energy no matter how long she slept for. While Hermione had so far succeeded in keeping this fact of her declining health a secret from Snape, she knew it was only a matter of time before he understood something was wrong.
"Hogsmeade?" Hermione asked, her mouth slightly agape. "You want me to leave school grounds?"
"Hogsmeade is located outside of school grounds, yes" Snape replied dryly.
"Don't you think that's a bit risky?" Hermione asked, worried. "What if I'm seen?"
"It will be dark when we leave the castle and it will be dark when we return," Snape reasoned. "You will also be wearing a dark cloak and walking with me; no one will stare or ask questions."
"And what will be doing in Hogsmeade?"
"That," Snape smirked. "Remains a secret."
"Oh, does it now?" Hermione laughed.
"You can go one moment without knowing everything, witch."
"Fine," Hermione replied through pursed lips. "I'll go."
Later that evening, Hermione stood in front of the mirror in the loo of Snape's private quarters, smoothing the dress she had had Dobby fetch for her earlier that evening. The fabric was made of a deep red, highlighting her curves as it clung snugly to her figure. Her lipstick matched the shade perfectly. Hermione tucked a piece of long, curly brown hair behind her right ear as she bent over to slip a pair of low red heels on. She was dressed nicely – perhaps too nicely – for the evening, but it felt nice to wear something other than school robes.
"Not bad for a last-minute evening out," Hermione shrugged to herself as she smoothed her dress once more.
With a final look in the mirror, Hermione exited the loo and strode into Snape's sitting room, where she found the wizard turned away from her, thumbing through a book he had pulled from its place on the bookcase. He was dressed in his usual dark robes. At the sound of her heels on the stone floor, Snape turned and caught his breath at the sight of the young witch before him.
"Ready?" she inquired.
Snape found himself slightly awe-struck at the sight before him. If he thought the Hermione of the future looked confident and brilliant in the HolyHead Harpies sweatshirt and blue jeans she had arrived in, he was certainly not prepared for the radiance she offered now.
"…Severus?"
"Miss Granger," Snape replied quickly as he cleared his throat. "Where were you planning on going dressed in such a way?"
"Oh–uh," Hermione stuttered, caught off guard by the man's stern voice and hard gaze.
"Go change."
"Go change?" Hermione exclaimed, her voice rising slightly in pitch at Snape's command.
"Now," Snape stated, unphased by the witch's wild expression.
"You have no right to tell me what to wea–"
"Would you like for all of Hogsmeade to know you are here?" Snape shot back. "You cannot stroll out of this school dressed as some trollop."
At the harshness of his words, Hermione bit her lip, feeling her eyes sting with rising tears.
"Fine," she spat hotly, turning quickly on her heels before Snape saw her cry.
Snape watched the young witch storm away, his chest heavy at having been so hard with her. What was wrong with him? Why did he feel so protective over the girl? She had looked nothing short of breathtaking and he had berated her, but why? Feeling as if he had no control over his own emotions left him on edge, almost hostile. Regardless of being torn over how he felt for Hermione, Snape knew he couldn't allow her to see him come undone.
Before Snape could give the matter anymore thought, a simmering Hermione reentered the room, now dressed in a red Gryffindor hoodie, blue jeans, and sneakers. Her hair was now pulled into a bun atop her head.
"Better?" she hissed.
Though saddened at the sight of her looking close to tears, Snape's face and voice remained sour.
"It will do."
Hermione scoffed as Snape handed her a dark cloak, which she took and placed upon her shoulders without another word. Snape extinguished the lights of his private quarters with a brief flick of his wand, and the two made their way to the door. When Snape extended his arm for her to take, Hermione refused, not even sparing a glance in his direction, choosing instead to haughtily march past him.
"Greasy git," the witch muttered to herself as she stalked down the corridor.
The pair remained eerily silent as they made their way down corridors, up staircases, and out into the castle's dark grounds. As they walked, Snape naturally fell in stride with Hermione, drawing closer to her with each step.
"Miss Gran–Hermione."
No reply came. Only the sound of the grass crunching under the pair's feet was heard as they walked, accompanied by the chorus of distant crickets in the warm night.
"Hermione, I–"
"No need for any further niceties, Professor. You've made your point quite clear," Hermione shot back, each syllable dripping with venom.
"Now, one moment, witch," Snape growled as he stopped, taking hold of Hermione's arm and swinging her back to face him as he did so. "Do not–"
"You have no place in telling me what to do," Hermione exclaimed, pulling her arm from his grasp. "I am an adult – happily married, with my own flat, and employed by the Ministry. I understand that you are incapable of nothing more than being an insensitive wart with your students, but I am no longer your student, so you can stop treating me as such."
Snape remained silent, taking in the witch's stern expression, her eyes fiery as she stared back at him.
"I am aware," he conceded. "My apologies, Miss Granger. I overstepped."
"And another thing–sorry?" Hermione gaped.
"My apologies, Miss Granger. You are no longer my student and I was wrong to treat you as such."
"Well–uh–thank you," Hermione finished lamely, dumbstruck at Snape's sudden yet genuine apology.
"Shall we?"
Snape once again extended his arm for Hermione, which she took, still in shock. She held onto him, feeling the outlines of his sinewy muscles beneath his cloak as they walked in silence. The Severus Snape had just apologized to her, but why? Yes, he had been wrong, but when had he ever been a man to admit such a thing? Why was he showing such kindness toward her?
"Stay close," Snape whispered to her, interrupting her train of thought.
The pair had just entered Hogsmeade. The night was dimly lit by the streetlamps spotted across Hogsmeade. It was quiet with the exception of muffled voices coming from the Three Broomsticks. For a moment, Hermione wondered if the inn was where they were headed, but this thought was quickly extinguished as Snape strode past the busy establishment.
"Professor, where are we going?"
Without replying, Snape quickly ushered Hermione into a dark corner, hushing her as he did so. The witch became acutely aware of the strong presence standing over her in that moment, shielding her from the world. The two stood frozen as a figure cloaked in black passed by, muttering to himself. Hermione held her breath, glancing up at Snape's still features as she did so. The more time she spent with the man, the more she noticed how handsome Snape actually was. His dark eyes, his sharp features, and… what was she doing? She was married, and happily so. Well, was she happily married? Her and Ron weren't exactly compatible, something she had known for years now. Ron could also be a complete arse when it suited him, the way he – Hermione shook herself from her thoughts and noticed that she was still staring intently at Snape. She felt a hot blush rise in her neck and into her cheeks. Hadn't she been furious with him only moments before? Just then, Snape noticed her staring and gave her a stiff nod, his eyes still trained on the figure, now within earshot. Hermione forced her eyes away from the wizard and trained them down on her shoes instead, listening intently to the muttering figure as she did so.
"…damn cabinet… damn Potter… always saving the day…"
At the familiar voice, Hermione turned and caught sight of a pale boy with a pointed face and hair so blonde it almost appeared silver. His mannerisms and voice indicated he was agitated, anger quickly mounting as he wondered aloud to himself.
"Malfoy," Hermione gasped quietly.