Chapter 10
Hermione woke up to the smell of coffee and bacon, slipping her house coat on, she slowly made her way down the stairs. She walked into the kitchen to see her mother at the stove.
"Mum! What are you doing? I'm supposed to be taking care of you!" Hermione said as she hurried over to her mother.
"Oh, shush you," her mother pointed the spatula towards the table. "Go sit down, I'm perfectly capable of making breakfast for my daughter," Sarah said.
"But, Mum…" Hermione started before she got a glare from her mother.
"No buts. You may be twenty-two years old, but I am still your mother and know what's best for you. Now sit, I will bring everything to you," Sarah insisted, and she turned back to the stove.
Hermione grumbled under her breath but turned on her heel and sat down at the table. A couple of minutes later, a piping hot cup of coffee and a plate with a fried egg and ham sandwich was sitting in front of her.
"Oh, Mum! Daddy's favorite." Hermione exclaimed as her eyes filled with tears.
Sarah sat down across from Hermione, a plate in front of her as well. "I thought it would be a nice way to remember him," she smiled.
Hermione insisted on washing the dishes after they ate. Afterwards they sat down in the sitting room and took out photo albums, reminiscing.
"Wait! What's that one?" Hermione said quickly as her mother tried to flip one page a little too quickly.
Hermione snatched the album from her mother's hands and turned the page back, her eyes widened as she found the picture.
"MUM!" Hermione gasped.
The picture showed her mother and father at what looked like a house party, her father was leaning against the wall, both were drinking from red cups. Her mother's leg was somehow stretched over dad's shoulder.
Sarah snatched the album back and closed it with a snap.
"I didn't realize I brought that album with me," Sarah shrugged as she saw Hermione's stunned face. "What? We were young once. That was actually from a frat party," she smiled at the thought.
Hermione shook her head, she leaned back onto the couch and pulled one leg up, turning to look at her mother.
"So, what's next?" she asked.
Sarah looked to her daughter, "I'm not sure. I've had the office reschedule my appointments. We just have cleanings going on right now, but I'm going to have to go back soon," she said, her mind whirling as she thought.
"Well, now's the time to hire another Orthodontist" Hermione exclaimed.
Sighing Sarah closed her eyes, "I'm going to have to do the interviews. I have to do something soon or I'm going to lose patients," she said.
Hermione put her hand on her mother's shoulder, "I'm sure you're not going to lose patients. They probably don't want to go out in this shitty virus anyways," Hermione grumbled.
"Fancy helping me sort things out at the house?" she asked Hermione.
Hermione nodded her head as she stood up, "yeah, I'm going to run up and get dressed," she said as she made her way out of the sitting room and up the stairs.
Fifteen minutes later Sarah unlocked the door to her home and walked in, Hermione came in behind her and shut the door.
Sarah took a deep breath that turned into a choked sob. Hermione quickly wrapped her arms around her mother and held her tight.
"You know mum, this can wait," Hermione crooned as she rubbed her mother's back.
"I know," Sarah choked out, "but the next step is acceptance. Going through his things will help," she murmured.
Hermione gave her another tight squeeze before pulling back.
"Should we go through his clothes?" Hermione asked.
Her mother nodded her head and they both made their way up the stairs.
As they went through the closet, Sarah held up a red dress shirt.
"Dear, I think this would look great on your house guest," Sarah said softly.
Hermione looked over and snickered.
"Thanks mum, but he would never be caught wearing red," she chuckled.
Sarah shrugged, folded it and placed it in the box they had to go for donations. Forty-five minutes later they had gone through all the clothes. Hermione picked up a bottle of cologne, took off the lid and took a sniff. Citrusy and leather scent but all Hermione got was-Daddy. The scent he had on him when he and Mum would go out. He never wore cologne to work, in case his patients were allergic. But him and Mum went out every weekend. Hermione smiled as she remembered a time when they had gone out and left her with a sitter.
She was eight and her parents had left for dinner one Friday night. Her dad in the red shirt that her mother had held out about an hour ago, and her mother in a red cocktail dress with spaghetti straps. Red was the color of the house, Hermione thought to herself, no wonder I was put in Gryffindor.
"That can stay," her mother said in her ear.
Hermione jumped, clinging the bottle to her chest. "Oh! Sorry Mum, I was reminiscing," she chuckled and set the bottle back down.
Sarah placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder and squeezed it lightly.
"What's next? Daddy's study?" Hermione questioned.
Shaking her head, Sarah took a shaky breath, "I'd like to leave that last...if I do it at all," she said softly.
With a small, sad smile Hermione nodded her head.
Severus walked purposely past Darren, sitting at his desk hand flying across a clipboard. He took a deep breath, there was something happening around St. Mungos, but he couldn't place it. A light feeling washed over him, like a heavy boulder was lifted off his stomach. He didn't know what it was until Healer Campbell hurried over.
"Healer Snape! How are you my friend?!" Campbell exclaimed.
He stopped in front of him, bouncing from heel to toe.
"Have I missed something?" Severus asked with an arch of an eyebrow.
"Oh, yes you have!" Healer Gourdy nearly shouted from behind him.
Severus turned around and greeted him with a slight nod.
"Do tell," he said smoothly.
"We'll do you one better," Gourdy said as he and Campbell walked down the hall, "come along."
They came to a stop at room 2-0-7, Gourdy put his hand on the door-knob and looked at Severus.
Go on and see," he said as he opened the door and gestured for Severus to enter.
Taking a deep breath he walked into the room, praying that it had worked. Neville was propped up slightly on the bed, off the ventilator, but had the nasal cannula to ensure he was getting enough oxygen.
Neville's eyes widened for a moment before they relaxed as the sight of his once upon a time scary Potions Professor.
"Professor…" he gasped out.
Snape held his hand up and shook his head, "Healer, now, Mr. Longbottom," he walked over to the side of the bed looking down in amazement at Neville.
He was positive his and Hermione's magic would work but seeing it right in front him shocked him slightly. All of a sudden he had to the urge to kick himself. If only they had done this for Hermione's dad, he would be all and well right now. Of course the Ministry still disapproved of using magic on muggles but that's neither here nor there right now.
Neville nodded his head, he clasped his hands together on his lap and figited for a moment.
"I understand, I have you and Hermione to thank...so thank you, sir," he looked up at the man.
Severus shrugged his shoulder and glanced at the now closed door, Healers Gourdy and Campbell were gone.
"Well, I'm just glad it worked. Herm...um, Miss Granger and I would have gotten into a lot of trouble for experimental magic," he said softly.
Neville's mouth dropped open, "you mean...you've never tested this before?" he asked.
"Wasn't exactly much time," he murmured.
Nodding his head, Neville looked back at his hands. After a small awkward silence, Neville spoke up.
"So, where is Hermione? I'd really like to thank her in person," he said.
Severus sighed and summoned the chair over to sit down.
"Actually, she's on a leave of absence right now. Her father just passed from this bloody virus," Severus said.
"Oh. Maybe she shouldn't know I'm ok, then," he mumbled.
Severus looked over in shock at the boy, "she's been worried sick over you as well, Longbottom. Don't feel guilty that we tried it on you and not every bloody sick person!" he hissed.
Neville cringed slightly but nodded his head after a moment. "What's next? Does this mean you can treat everyone now?" he asked as he tried to get more comfortable.
Severus stood up and fluffed the pillows out for him, "I suppose we do. Which means her leave of absence will be cut short. She'll actually be happy, I'm sure. We got into an argument about her going back to work so soon," he mused.
"Oh?" Neville questioned, looking over at Snape curiously.
Snape bit his tongue, shit. "We were forced to live together, thanks to the Shelter in place Act."
Neville eyed him for a few seconds longer then he'd like before he chuckled.
"Leave it to the Ministry to mess things up…" he paused before he shrugged, "...or make them better, who knows."
"I will be back shortly, Mr. Longbottom," Severus said shortly and quickly left the room before Neville could muster a response.
Hermione walked out of the guest room and closed the door quietly behind her. As she made her way down the stairs the front door opened.
She met Severus at the bottom of the stairs, "what's wrong? Why are you home so early?" she asked, her eyes looking him up and down.
"Nothing's wrong, I just came to get you on my lunch break. You're needed," he said, his face not giving anything away.
"I'm needed, what do you mean?" she asked, crossing her arms.
He walked around her and headed for the kitchen, "where's your mum?" he asked as he opened the fridge and pulled out a cold cheeseburger.
"She's taking a nap, we went and cleaned out some of Daddy's things," she said as she crossed her arms.
Biting into his burger he gestured at her, "well, go get dressed, I'll leave a note for you mother," he said around chewing.
She sighed as he walked over and picked up the pad and pen. Throwing on a pair of loose fitting jeans and a red button-up blouse, she made her way down the stairs. She slipped on her shoes by the door as he was coming out of the kitchen.
He helped her into her cloak, they both donned their face masks and headed out the door. They were gone in a small pop once they were free to apparate.
His long strides had her struggling to keep up.
"Severus!" she puffed out, "will you slow down or at least tell me why I'm needed, especially when you put up such a fight about me staying home," she choked out.
He slowed down and smirked at her, "I'll give you one out of two. Just be patient," he spoke softly.
Hermione took in a deep breath, at little thankful that he slowed down so she could breathe properly.
As they entered the building, people were whizzing by, chatting happily from the way it looked. Hermione breathed in deeply. Severus looked over at her.
"Do you feel it too?" he asked.
She looked over at him, perplexed.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Hope," was all he said before he walked down the hall.
She quickly followed after him, as if she was a lost puppy. "What do you mean, 'hope'?" she asked.
Severus stopped so abruptly, she ran into him.
"You tell me," he said as he gestured for her to open the door.
Her hand on the door-knob she looked up at the number; 2-0-7. She nibbled on her lower lip and opened the door.
"Neville!" Hermione cried out. She ran over to the bed and skidded to a halt, her arms flying as if she wanted to hug him.
Severus entered and shut the door behind him.
"Hermione! I'm so happy to see you," Neville said, he lifted his arms up and was able to give her a small hug.
Tears in her eyes, Hermione stood back and looked him over.
"How are you feeling?" she asked.
Neville shrugged, "I'm doing alot better than I was. They still want me on oxygen for a few days and see how I make out. Wont let me out of bed of course," he said.
"Take it easy, Mr. Longbottom. You've been through an ordeal. Don't fudge up my work," Severus growled out but threw a smirk at the boy to show he was joking.
However Hermione didn't see the smirk and whipped her head around at him.
"Your work?" she demanded. "Don't you mean, our work?" she questioned, her hands on her hips.
Severus opened his mouth to respond but Neville beat him to it.
"Such a spitfire, aren't you Hermione?" he asked.
Hermione glared at Neville before she remembered why he was here.
"Why would you say that?" Severus asked, almost a whisper.
"I don't know. It feels like someone said that, not long ago. But I can't remember who," Neville said, his face nothing but confusion.
After a small bit of conversation with Neville, Severus and Hermione left the room. As he was talking with her about healing the other patients, a gurney whizzed by them, with two Healers and two Mediwitches. They both looked at each other with wide eyes.
"Was that?" they both said before they hurried after them and into the next room.
Hermione's hand flew to her mask-covered mouth.
"Oh, Minerva," she said softly as she watched her past professor seizing on the gurney.
Severus pushed past the Healers and Mediwitches, as if in a daze he watched them trying to calm his old co-worker. Everything was as if time was frozen. They were moving too slow and she was losing. Her heart stopped and before the Healers could call it, Severus ripped his face mask off and yelled, "NO!"
Shoving his way he quickly made it over to Minevra and quickly started compressions.
Everyone froze and watched the man attempt to revive the old woman, before Hermione shouted out.
"Healer Snape! She has a DNR! Do not resuscitate! STOP!" she cried out and attempted to get over to the bed.
Severus couldn't stop, this woman, he loved so much like a mother, he couldn't lose her. Seconds later he was tackled from behind, his arms held to his sides and pulled back. He struggled for thirty seconds before he stopped and shrugged the person off.
"What were you thinking, Severus?!" Hermione chastised him.
Severus glared at her, "I was trying to save her! I wasn't standing there like I was immobilized!" he hissed.
There were a few mumbled protests from the group, but he ignored them.
"You went against her wishes! Not only that, but you've exposed yourself! You are being reckless and irresponsible!" Hermione hollered at him, her voice ringing through the halls.
"How dare you!" Severus hissed at her, coming far too close for her to be comfortable in the current setting. "Nothing changes, does it? You'll always be insufferable, a know-it-all. Where is your medical degree, Hermione? Who are you to tell me how to practice?" She flinched visibly at his words as though he'd physically struck her. Quickly, she recovered and stepped closer to him still, her back straight, chin raised.
"I won't tell you how to practice, Healer Snape, and if you want to risk your license over this, then far be it from me to tell you not to." He stared at her for a long time, silent, terrifying. And then he swept passed her just as quietly.
Hermione swallowed the lump in her throat, praying that the tears that welled up in her eyes wouldn't spill over, not in front of everyone.
She slowly and quietly left the room, leaving Hermione with her tears and her beloved Head of House.