Whew! It took me a little bit longer to update than I would've liked to, sorry about that! But alas, chapter 2 is here! I hope anyone reading Anywhere But Now and starting this sequel has enjoyed it so far. Now I'll hush up and let you get to reading! :)
I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters, but any original characters used in this story do belong to me.
Many thanks to my dear friend Nicia who has been my proofreading and continuing to help me edit from American English to British English. Love ya bunches! xx
Chapter 2: Minerva's Request and Preparations
"Will you please find it in that tiny body of yours to grow some patience?" Severus growled at the emerald eyed half-kneazle staring back up at him. A very unpleasant sounding meow emerged from her throat, indicating that if she were not going to eat soon, she may just shrivel up and die right then and there.
"You're being more dramatic than a Gryffindor at the moment, you know that won't settle in this house. Now, desist so I can finish this brew! I will feed you momentarily," he hissed.
That garnered a hiss back from the sassy feline, turning her back with her tail straight up in the air, slowly flowing back and forth as she climbed the basement stairs.
"Meddlesome fur ball." Severus murmured to himself as he accioed a jar of unicorn horns from the shelving across the room.
With his brews nearly finished, he was adding the last bit of ingredient so he could bottle them to be sent to Hogwarts. He had spent most of the day hunched over, hastily brewing several batches of oculus potion, due to a nasty prank that Minerva had informed Severus of. A troublesome fifth year Ravenclaw had performed the conjunctivitis curse on a group of second years.
The dunderhead should be expelled! Using a curse like that on other students!
Severus had been making ends meet over the last several years fulfilling potions orders for the witches and wizards that he knew. Minerva was always a consistent person, who seemed to send an owl a week requesting his expertise.
I am only one man for Merlin's sake, Minerva, must you send me a request every single week?!
He had been surprised when one of the owls he received from her earlier in the day didn't have yet another request for whatever potion she was in need of, but instead Minerva had been requesting his presence at the school on Saturday.
Saturday? That's the day I made plans with Hermione. What on Earth would she be wanting to see me in person for that she couldn't just talk about through our letters? Severus had thought to himself internally when he first read over the letter. He had replied, requesting that she see him earlier in the day, in the hopes she would agree so he would have the time to wind down before his evening with Hermione.
With a wave of his wand he cast scourgify to clean up any messes leftover from his work for the day and sent the clean potions tools flying back into their proper cabinets. He brushed off his frock coat, standing up and making his way upstairs; where the door to his basement led him into the kitchen.
There Perdita stood, food bowl in her mouth, peering up at him with her emerald green eyes. Severus grunted, shaking his head at the persistent feline, taking the bowl from her mouth."You need to start learning more patience if you're going to be in this home, Perdita."
Perdita issued no response, she merely stared at him, waiting for him to fill the bowl. Severus rolled his eyes, conjuring up her favourite meal, and placing the bowl by her designated spot that she chose, for she refused to eat anywhere else.
"Spoiled little furball," he mumbled with a huff.
He took to his study with a glass of firewhiskey in hand, allowing himself to sink into the chair he favoured most, casting incendio at the fireplace with a flick of his wand. Severus exhaled a big sigh, enjoying the warmth of the fire on his face. He took a sip of his drink before tilting his head back and closing his eyes, thinking over the previous day's events and how unexpected they had come to be.
It had been absolutely agonising to keep the knowledge of that fateful night to himself and to go thirteen years without addressing Hermione about the events that transpired before he made it to the shrieking shack. Spending months of recovery in St. Mungos, having to explain his actions to not only Minvera and other key figures from the war, but the Wizengamot as well. He had testified for himself and thankfully avoided a lengthy sentence to Azkaban with the help of Potter, as much as he hated to admit it, and Minvera. He was later deemed a hero amongst the others that fought hard during the battle of Hogwarts, but the thought of being considered a hero made Severus grimace to himself anytime someone referred to him as one and it had taken a lot for him not to scowl in front of Hermione when she said it just yesterday.
Severus had done what he had done as a double agent for the greater good of the wizarding world and to help bring Voldemort to his demise. He in no way considered the evil and vile things he had done, and had witnessed others do without putting a stop to, 'heroic'.
He scoffed to himself. "Pathetic people thinking my actions are heroic. . ." He chastised himself, having come to much better terms with his wrongdoings, but never fully forgetting the terrible things he did and the decisions he made. He glanced down, pulling up the sleeve of his frock coat to stare at the faded dark mark that scarred his pale skin. After Voldemort's death the dark mark turned into what looked like a dark pink scar, a shadow of the hideous mark, but over time it did start to fade to a lighter pink. Unfortunately, it was still noticeable to anyone who may see it, which was no one at this point.
What would Hermione think if she saw the remainder of it? Not only that. . .but my other scars as well? . .there is no way she will be able to see past all of that. . .
Nonsense man, you're being a fool! You felt that connection the moment you two kissed! She actually wants to continue to be with you, get a hold of your emotions! This is simple compared to things you've dealt with in your past!
Or is it?
Severus argued back and forth with himself in his head for several moments before shooing the issue to the back of his mind, knowing that there was probably very little chance Hermione would want to see him unclothed at any point in her life. He had convinced himself that she would grow past this infatuation with him at some point.
Might as well enjoy being the lucky man that I am for the time being before she figures out she's repulsed by me. . .
Severus stifled a yawn, realizing just how late it was and how tired he had been from getting up so early that morning to work on the potion orders. He decided to retire for the night, making his way to the bedroom, Perdita on his heels, to get some sleep while he could and in preparation for his meeting with Minerva tomorrow morning.
"He's lost it already?!" Hermione asked, Ginny nodding her head as Hermione stared at her in shock.
"He's moving back in with mum and dad over the weekend. He hasn't put forth any effort to find a job or anything. To be honest I don't have much sympathy after what he did to you, Hermione. He's been nothing but a downright git."
"It breaks my heart, Ginny. I love Ron and I care about his wellbeing, I just don't understand why he has done this to himself and turned into such a cold hearted person; he's not the Ron that I fell in love with. But you're right, it's difficult to have any sympathy at this point, and I don't plan on getting myself involved in any way, shape or form."
"As you shouldn't. He made his bed, he can lie in it. I tried to convince mum not to allow him to live with her, but you know how her heart is for her kids."
Hermione nodded in agreement. "That I do...it's going to be hard for me to come visit the Burrow for gatherings if he is going to be there. Of course I can be civil, but I don't see him making the situation any easier or less awkward," Hermione finished that with an eye roll as she took a sip of her tea.
"The whole family won't want you to feel like you're not able to come up for visits or gatherings or just to come say hello; we're not going to allow Ron to ruin that for us, Hermione, trust me."
Hermione gave her a small smile, appreciative of the support that Ginny and the rest of the Wesley family had for her.
"Thank you, Ginny."
"Do you still plan on meeting us for dinner tomorrow?" Ginny asked.
Oh bollocks! Dinner with her and Harry, I completely forgot!
"Oh! I-umm-actually. . .are we able to make it for Sunday instead of tomorrow?" Hermione asked, a hint of red on her face, embarrassed that she had completely forgotten about their dinner plans in her feverish moment with Severus. She'd been completely wrapped up in the moment and the midst of their conversation last night, having made plans with him for their first date.
"I don't see that being a problem." Ginny shrugged, slightly confused by Hermione's response. "It's quite alright if you forgot, Hermione, no need to feel bad."
"I know. I'm sorry, I just didn't realize I had overbooked myself, and I have to get this taken care of beforehand, that way I can enjoy dinner with you and the family on Sunday."
"What is it you have to handle tomorrow? On a Saturday evening of all things, you're rarely at the ministry on a Saturday."
Bugger. Ginny and her questions.
"Oh. . .well, just some paperwork in regards to the muggleborn laws I've been trying to get into effect since before I even took office."
Ginny stared at Hermione for several seconds before responding. "Hermione you really are a terrible liar."
"What?" Hermione replied, trying to sound like Ginny was completely wrong. "I'm not lying."
"Yes you are. Come on now, what is it? You got a hot date or something that you don't want to tell me about?"
"Ginny!"
"What? Is that so wrong of me to assume? You've been in an incredibly good mood since yesterday, Harry said he saw you leaving the office practically skipping! There's nothing wrong if you have met someone else, you have every right to move on," Ginny replied. "But you better not keep it from me if you are dating someone else!" she teased.
"Honestly Ginny," Hermione said with a groan, shaking her head. "How do you figure these things out so easily?"
"So you do have a date?!"
"Ginny please don't tell anyone about it, okay?" Hermione pleaded. "I'm really not ready to be open about who I'm seeing or the dates I'm going on, especially with the Daily Prophet breathing down my neck for info on my personal life all the time."
Ginny nodded. "Of course I won't say anything, It isn't my business to tell. But. . .will you tell me who it's with?" She said with a smirk.
"That even I can't tell you yet." Hermione replied with a chuckle.
"Well I hope you can tell me soon, you know I'm always dying to hear all of the details! Too bad I won't be able to ask you about it in front of Harry at dinner on Sunday. I hope you have a wonderful time! I'll just let Harry know you have some Ministry business to take care of and that we will see you on Sunday." Ginny stood from the table as Hermione did, pulling her friend into a hug.
"Just remember as long as you're happy, I'm going to be happy for you, Hermione."
Hermione pulled away from the hug, smiling at her best friend. "Thank you, Ginny. I love you, you're the best."
"I try," she replied with a smirk. "but I better be the first to know who he is!" Ginny said, pointing a finger at herself.
"Alright, alright!" Hermione said with a chuckle.
"All teasing aside Hermione, we all care a lot about you, and it makes me so angry with myself that I didn't see the signs and that I didn't realize sooner how poorly Ron was treating you. I just want you to know that you can tell me anything, and please tell me if something like that is going on, okay?"
"Ginny I can assure you nothing of that sort is going on, I promise. He is being very good to me. When the time is right I'll tell you, but it's not just my decision to be quiet about this right now. I'm respecting his own wishes as well to enjoy our time together before we go public about anything. He's fairly aware of some of the things the prophet had said about me and Ron during the divorce process, and he mainly wants to keep things quiet for a little while out of respect for me."
"Well that's great of him to do so. I completely understand. I'll see you Sunday, Hermione. Have a great time tomorrow!"
Hermione tried not to blush again, feeling like a bashful little schoolgirl.
Get a grip Hermione, Ginny is going to continue to make fun of you acting so darn silly like this.
"Thanks, Ginny. I will."
Hermione returned home that evening, seeing that she had received an owl in her absence.
At this time of day? I wasn't expecting anything. . .
She picked up the letter from its spot by the door, flipping it over to examine the scribble on the front. Her heart sank seeing that all too familiar writing.
Ron. . .
She wasn't sure exactly what he could be writing to her about at this point, but she certainly knew it was most likely something that couldn't and wouldn't be good.
I truly hope he doesn't expect me to help him out in getting the flat back! I'm not getting involved.
Hesitantly, she started to open it, walking into her living room and taking a seat upon the sofa as she finished extracting the letter from the envelope. She unfolded it, taking a big deep breath before reading the contents.
Hermione,
I hope everything is going okay with your new home, and I hope you've been doing alright.
I'm not sure if you've spoken to anyone, but I'll be moving out of the home soon and staying with mum until I find a place that is fit for me. I think it's just better that I find a place of my own, I was getting pretty sick of being there.
Hermione rolled her eyes. He can't even be honest with me in a bloody letter. Ugh! She shook her head, bringing her eyes back down to the page to continue reading.
I was hoping you'd consider coming to mum's this weekend, so we could have a proper talk, without me being so boozed up on firewhiskey. I feel just terrible about what I did.
I miss you, Hermione, and I know it's a long shot that you would even consider coming to talk to me, but I really don't know what to do without you in my life - and as my wife. I've made the stupidest decisions and the worst mistakes, but I'm hoping you can find it in your heart to forgive me and come back to me. I don't even know what to do with myself.
Let me know if you'd be willing to talk. I have no plans for/on Saturday, I'll only be at mums, getting my things situated.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Ron
"Ughh!" Hermione said with a big huff, tossing the letter to the side, laying back against the sofa, running her hands up her face and into her hair.
"Damn it, Ron! Was a finalized divorce not enough for you to realize that this is over?!" she said to herself.
Something tells me that man isn't going to let up. . .he has no idea I've moved on. I'm not ready to tell him about my new relationship at all. . .and he certainly won't take it lightly.
She accioed her ink, quill, and parchment from a nearby room, preparing herself to let Ron know that she would not be coming to speak to him tomorrow. Not only because it would be an awful idea, but also because she already had plans set. Of course, she wasn't going to go into great detail about her situation, for Ron would certainly have a total freak out.
"So sorry I can't speak with you Ron, I have my first date with Severus Snape." Yeah. . .that would go over great alright.
She scribbled down her response quickly, bluntly explaining to Ron that she had no interest in coming to speak with him and that he needed to start putting forth effort to move on, because she was in NO way, shape or form coming back to him.
She sent the owl on its way, more than ready to put that silly letter from him behind her for now, and focus on the following day looking forward to the evening she was going to have with Severus tomorrow.
All I need is the right dress. I can look for it tomorrow morning and I'll be all set to go.
She got herself ready for bed, changing into her nightgown and removing the magical binds from her hair that held it in its twisty bun and let them fall. She crawled into bed, more than prepared for a good night's sleep before her date with Severus tomorrow.
Saturday morning came, and Severus had just entered the Headmistresses office via floo, brushing the soot off of his stark black robes.
"Ah! Severus. How wonderful to see you again." The Headmistress spoke from her seat at the desk in her office. She stood as he approached, and Severus gave her a small yet kind nod in acknowledgement of her greeting.
"Minerva," he responded simply. She smiled, sitting back down. "Please," She began. "Have a seat." He gave his quick word of thanks before taking the seat opposite her.
"I trust you've been doing well, Severus?"
"As well as anyone could, perhaps. No doubt you've been keeping me busy with the constant order requests."
"You're one of the very few potion makers I would even trust brewing some of the things I need, Severus. Hopefully once Ignacio has started his term with us after the holiday, I can take a little of the load off of you and have him assist me with most of the requests that I need. However, that brings me to why I requested to speak with you today, Severus."
Severus eyed her carefully, a small scowl on his face, slightly irked that she was playing this little game. He could see the amusement in her eyes at having made him travel this way to the castle to speak with her.
"Do tell, what is it that you felt the need to speak to me in person about, when you could've simply sent a bloody owl," he hissed.
"Severus, you know if I was able to write to you about it and save you the visit I would do so."
"Very well. My apologies, Minerva. What is it you wish to speak to me about?"
Minerva tilted her head down slightly, looking at him over her spectacles in a manner that was reminiscent to Dumbledore. "I take it you're aware that Hogwarts will be adding an occlumency class to the curriculum, as an elective option for students who are interested?"
"Yes. . ." Severus replied, awaiting her to continue, but he was more than positive he knew where this conversation was going.
"I've been interviewing several candidates for the position, but I would be silly not to at least ask one of the most skilled occlumency users I've come to know. Severus, would you be interested in accepting the position? It would only be part time, no need to stay here at the castle all of the time, you could come for the couple days you'd be doing the lessons, and return to Spinner's End. Of course, you're always welcome to stay here, too."
Severus watched her as she continued to ramble on about the position, while he sat there silently. It was clear - and also quite humorous to him that she was trying to continue her speech about the pros of the job, most likely hoping Severus was finally going to cut her off with his answer.
The job would certainly be something he was willing, and most definitely capable of doing; especially when the potion making, even with all of the requests from Minerva, was barely cutting it with his personal expenses, and would decrease when Ignacio started working.
No doubt this would be a good thing to consider accepting if my relationship with Hermione were to develop into something more serious, I'd just have to put on my best scowl to these students if our relationship were to go public and any of them dare try to say anything in regards to it!
These damn dunderheads have gone thirteen years without Severus Snape as a professor, they have no idea what they would be in for if I accepted the position. The thought made his lips curl into a mischievous sneer.
"Severus? Severus? Merlin's beard did you hear anything I just said?"
Severus looked at her, never removing the amused look from his face. "Of course I did."
"Then do tell me what it is you find so funny with that ridiculous look on your face?! This is serious, Severus, I need to know if you would be interested or not, so I can move forward with my plans. I want to have this class ready after the holidays!"
"Minerva, please," Severus calmly interrupted her before she could get herself anymore worked up, I am indeed interested in the position. How soon would you need an answer from me?"
"Within a week? If that seems reasonable. I certainly don't want to rush you, but I do want to get the process started soon and inform Minister Granger of who I've hired for the position."
"You mean your most prized student?" Severus teased. Minerva rolled her eyes at him.
"Yes, and look what she turned out to be," she bit back playfully. "The youngest Minister for Magic to ever be sworn in. Might I ask if any of your Slytherin students have done the same thing?" she replied with her own mischievous smile, rivalling Severus' from earlier.
"Careful to start that feud so soon, Minerva, I haven't even accepted the position yet." He shot back, hoping his quick response would one up her and get her to back down with her Gryffindor pride.
"Very well, Severus," she said with a small smile. "But you won't be safe from me if you do happen to take this position."
"I didn't think I would be. I'd like to sit on it for a couple days and think about the option before I give you an answer. You have my word that you will hear from me before the following weekend comes around," Severus said, standing from his chair.
"That's wonderful to hear," Minerva replied. "I do thank you very much Severus, for taking time out of your morning today to come see me."
"A pleasure as always, Minerva," he replied. He bowed his head slightly, giving a polite nod as he got ready to leave.
"I'll speak with you soon, Minerva. Thank you." He turned with a wave of his robes, heading towards the floo.
"Severus?"
He turned his head to look at the elderly witch, and she smiled at him as she looked at him over her spectacles again.
"It really is good to see you again. You look well. I hope life is treating you well, yes?"
Severus gave one final nod in acknowledgment to her question. "As surprised as you may come to know, things have been rather pleasant for me."
"That's wonderful to hear! You deserve to be happy, Severus."
"Hmm. Perhaps. I guess only time will tell. . ." he finished saying as he turned away from her.
"I'll speak with you soon, Minerva." And with that statement, he entered the floo, announcing 'Spinners End', and throwing down the floo powder to be engulfed in the green flames.
Hermione entered the muggle clothing shop, on a mission to find the appropriate dress for her date tonight with Severus. She had made the decision she was going to attempt to throw Severus off guard and find herself an emerald, or to be more appropriate, a fitting Slytherin green cocktail dress that would hopefully give the potions master a pleasant surprise. With her goal in mind, she ventured to the formal wear area of the shop, bee lining to a row of classy but sexy cocktail dresses she immediately noticed. Even if she was doing the right style but the wrong colour, she could always murmur a simple spell to change it to her desired colour.
She skimmed through the assortment of dresses, stopping when she came to find a simple yet attractive dress in the midst of all of the flashy, gaudy ones.
"Ohh! I like this one." Hermione said to herself, pulling the dress from the rack. It was a knee length strappy dress with a semi sweetheart neckline and a slit along the left leg. Luckily for Hermione, it was the exact shade of green she needed.
This will go perfectly with the black wrap I have back at home.
She browsed around the shop to kill a little bit of time, for she still had quite a few hours until it was seven o'clock. She came upon a beautiful pair of sterling silver earrings that were accented with small diamonds and tear drop shaped emeralds in the middle. In the middle were tear dropped shaped emeralds. She found a necklace to match as well. Satisfied with her findings on her little shopping trip, she stopped at a nearby cafe for a light lunch, enjoying a seat on the patio.
"Mione?"
She was in the middle of a bite of her food when she heard his voice, and her stomach twisted into knots. She looked up to meet the pair of blue eyes she knew all too well.
"Ron? What are you doing here?"
"Mum sent me on an errand to collect some muggle ingredients she's grown to enjoy using in some of her recipes," he replied, a sheepish smile on his face as he stuffed his hands in his pockets, averting his eyes from Hermione's gaze.
"I see."
"Mind if I sit and join you?"
"I do mind actually, Ron, yes," Hermione replied rather coldly, eying him with a warning not to push things.
"Blimey Hermione, I just want to talk for a few minutes! You told me you weren't able to see me today, that you had plans! And here you are just out and about eating and clearly shopping!" he exclaimed, gesturing to the shopping bags she had under the table.
"Ron, it's no concern to you what it is I do with my own time or what plans I have!" she hissed back. Ron took a step forward, examining the bright yellow and black logo on the bag that he vaguely recognized. It took him a moment until he realised how he knew that place.
"Selfridges? That's where you would always go to get your formal wear for the war anniversary dinners every year. What are you doing shopping there?"
"Again, what I do with my time is no concern of yours, Ronald," Hermione replied through gritted teeth.
"Are you seeing someone else, 'Mione? You never get yourself dressed up like that unless you have an event!"
"Ron for heaven's sake would you just leave me be?!" Hermione exclaimed, slamming her fists down on the table, causing the table to shake and nearly knock over her water glass; and people to glance in their direction. She stood up, glaring at her ex-husband. The look made Ron cower a little, and Hermione began to fish into her handbag for the money to leave for her meal.
"'Mione there's no reason to make a scene." Ron tried to say in a quieter voice, leaning forward and touching her arm. Hermione jerked away from him, placing the money on the table, before she swung her handbag onto her shoulder, and picked up the remainder of her shopping bags.
"I wouldn't have to make a scene if you would just leave me alone," she hissed back in an intense whisper. "Who the bloody hell knows what's going through your head, but you most certainly have not been listening to me or taking in my requests for you to just leave me be! Honestly Ron, can't you just take the hint? You know I care about you, but you really hurt me, and I need space from you for a while. Please respect that."
Ron looked down at the ground again, hands back into his pockets and shifting his feet around, his face growing red from the scrutiny he faced from Hermione in public.
"I have to go. Do not follow me." She warned, turning to point a finger at him just as she passed.
Ron said nothing, he only stood silently, looking at Hermione with a scowl on his face. Hermione turned away, leaving the restaurant, and once she made it to a discreet place, apparating back to her home. She huffed as she took a seat on her sofa, shaking her head at what had just happened.
"The nerve of that man, honestly," she said to herself.
She made her way to her bedroom, laying her dress across the duvet neatly, careful not to wrinkle it. She placed the accessories on the nearby dressing table, making her way into the bathroom for a nice, long and proper shower to begin preparing herself for the evening.
She tilted her head back, sighing in contentment at the warm water cascading down her body. She reached out to pour a big glob of her favourite lavender shampoo into her hand, running her fingers through her hair and massaging her scalp.
I'm starting to wish this was someone else's hands doing this for me. . .
She smirked to herself, imagining a certain potions master standing behind her, assisting Hermione with her shower needs.
Blimey Hermione, you're thinking like a love sick school girl! Do get yourself under control, you haven't even had one date.
She spent a little more time than she had anticipated in that shower, her private thoughts causing her to spend more time that she truly needed, but she still had plenty of time to prepare herself for their evening.
"Aha! There it is," she murmured to herself, finally finding her bottle of Sleekeazy's Hair Potion. It was one of her go-to products for important events, ever since the Yule Ball in her fourth year.
She added a couple drops, and with ease was able to tame her curls. With a couple of other potions she had made on her own to help with styling her hair, she managed to get her curls to a softer wavy look, pulling her hair back into an elegant bun, and allowing a few strands to frame her face.
More than satisfied with the efforts on her hair, Hermione added an appropriate amount of makeup. She typically stuck with her trusty mauve coloured lipstick, but she felt something a little more on the red side would be appropriate with the green. She kept her eye shadow fairly neutral, and applied her mascara and eyeliner, pulling back from her bedroom mirror to get a full look at her face. She smirked to herself in the mirror in approval. She slipped into her dress and jewellery, and with a wave of her wand, a pair of black open toe heels and her black wrap came flying out of her closet and into her hands. She slipped both on and turned to the mirror. She smirked to herself, getting even more excited as the time grew closer, and started to feel the butterflies in her stomach flutter about.
He's going to love it, Hermione. Even you must admit to yourself that you don't look half bad at all!
Hermione chuckled, doing a full turn in the mirror before grabbing her hand bag. Five minutes until seven. . .perfect timing.
She made her way downstairs and out of the house, smiling to herself the whole time, and feeling her stomach butterflies grow even more. She closed her eyes, picturing her destination.
I cannot wait for this evening, Severus. She thought to herself before apparating herself to Spinner's End.