Much thanks to my editor, Gwen McCormick, and to my dear friend DUJ. All mistakes are mine. Obviously, I am not JKR and am making nothing from this.
The Course of True Love
Chapter 24
August 1999
"Because the Board of Governors, in their infinite wisdom, has decided yet again to arbitrarily change the format of our lesson plans," Headmistress Minerva McGonagall said as she handed out sets of parchments, "I've paired each new staff member with a mentor. Neville and Pomona; Narcissa with Aurora; Dora with Septima; Jane with Filius; and Hermione with Severus."
"As this is my final year, I refuse to jump through any more of their ridiculous hoops," Albus declared. "And shouldn't you pair Severus with-"
"Which is exactly why I paired Hermione with Severus," Minerva retorted sharply, interrupting him. "I have to be sure one lesson plan for Transfiguration will be done correctly. Now, before we go, is there anything else?"
"Just one other thing," Dora Lupin spoke up, "when I was a student – Oh my!"
A bedraggled owl, wearing a jumper bearing the title 'Forgive-Me-Knotts', flew quickly in through the window. It hooted twice and dropped a huge bouquet of yellow roses in front of Hermione. Then, it made a lazy U-turn before zooming away.
"What lovely roses!" Narcissa remarked. "Someone must be in trouble to send such a beautiful apology. Yellow roses symbolize friendship and a request for forgiveness from a loved one."
Quietly, Hermione pulled the flowers towards her. "Ron, again," she said awkwardly. "He's sending them weekly."
"Trouble in paradise?" Rolanda Hooch asked bluntly. "The boy must have bollocks things up good and proper to send flowers weekly."
"Rolanda!" Minerva scolded. "Dora, what were you saying?"
"Right-o," Professor Lupin spoke up, "well, when I was a student, there was a dueling club. Didn't you sponsor it, Professor Flitwick?"
"It's Filius now that we're colleagues, and, yes, I tried sponsoring a dueling club," he replied with a smile.
"And the students had a secret dueling club, right?" Dora asked Hermione. "Sort of a way to teach yourselves?" She waited for Hermione's nod. "Well, I've been thinking of starting a club," Dora said, "Something of a combination of the two, a dueling competition but with real-life practicality."
"I think that's a wonderful idea," Headmistress McGonagall agreed with a nodded, "but, Dora, it's going to involve a great deal of work."
She nodded slowly. "I was hoping to plan out the details now, have a couple of exhibitions later this fall, and maybe get really started up after the first of the year." She looked back at Flitwick. "Filius, would you help? You were the All-Star UK Dueling Champion for twenty-four years running."
"I'd be honored," the charms professor said.
Dora grinned. "And, I was thinking that we could all participate. Most of us saw action during war, and it'd be brilliant for the students to see that their teachers aren't just stuffy old academics."
"They would appreciate History of Magic more," Narcissa volunteered gently.
"It might make them behave better, too," Septima Vector said. "I'd be willing."
"It would definitely make them think twice before misbehaving," Aurora Sinistra added with a smirk, "if they knew how deadly we could all be if pushed to it."
"Here, now! You don't want to frighten the children, do you?" Pomona asked. "You can't intimidate them into behaving."
"I did and still do," Severus drawled.
"How about it, Severus?" Dora asked. "Would you help with the dueling club?" She favored him with her most cheeky grin.
"For a price," he drawled. "You'll owe me a favor"
"Done."
"Good heavens, Dora!" Narcissa cried out. "Didn't your mother teach you better than to make an agreement like that?"
Minerva cleared her throat. "Well, I think we've had enough for today. Your first lesson plans are due Friday next. Dismissed."
SHSHSHSHSH
Severus stood when she entered the classroom. "Hermione." He smiled and held out a chair for her. "Won't you please be s-"
But he was halted by the sight of the same Forgive-Me-Knott's owl carrying another huge bouquet of yellow roses. The owl hooted twice and dropped the bundle in front of her. Hermione called a soft "Thank you" to the departing owl as she picked up the flowers.
She looked up at Severus and quirked a smile. "Sorry," she told him with a sigh. "Ron keeps sending flowers."
"I see," he said slowly. "Do you intend to forgive him?"
"I don't know," she said honestly. "Probably."
"But will you forgive him as a friend," he asked slowly, "or as your fiancé?" Instantly, he was appalled at his own words. "I am sorry, Hermione. I didn't mean to pry."
"Oh, no," she assured him, "you're my best friend."
He sat back in his chair, unsure of how to proceed. Now is your chance, Severus! Dare you court her? And how? "Perhaps one of you will come to his senses, then," he murmured. "Until then, however," he added, raising his voice, "let's get on with completing the lesson plans."
"Severus?" Narcissa Malfoy called out as she entered the classroom. "I thought you may wish to visit Draco with me this evening."
He sighed. "I think not," he told her. "Hermione needs help with these plans."
"Let Dumbledore help her. You don't need to babysit her, surely." Narcissa's eyes widened, and she smiled knowingly when both Hermione and Severus flinched at her words.
Hermione began to collect her papers. "I don't want to cause trouble with Mrs. Malfoy." Your fiancé. She held up the flowers. "So, I'll just go owl Ron."
Severus stood and clasped his hands behind his back. "As you wish, Hermione."
SHSHSHSHSH
"Professor Malfoy? What's wrong?" Hermione asked. It was early morning, and she'd found the older witch in the staffroom, tears pooling in her eyes.
"Nothing's wrong," Narcissa announced, dabbing away her tears. "Perhaps, though, you could help my curiosity. You and Severus are friends?" she enquired, crossing her legs.
Hermione hesitated. "We are," Hermione replied slowly. "Do you object?"
"Not in the least," Narcissa said. "Severus deserves every happiness."
Hermione pursed her lips and flickered her gaze to the emerald ring on Narcissa's hand. "He certainly does," she declared.
"Speak of the devil," Narcissa said when the door opened. "Hello, Severus, what a lovely nosegay." She took the small bouquet of flowers he held out and lifted them to her nose. "And what a lovely scent!"
A deep red tulip held the center spot of the bundle. Beside and just below, stood a fragrant pink rose. Both flowers were gathered in a lace handkerchief and held fast by a braided length of honeysuckle and ivy.
"Good morning, Cissy," he replied. "But they're not for you." He took the flowers from her and quietly handed them to Hermione.
"For me?" Hermione squeaked. She shot a hurried glance at Narcissa Malfoy, who raised a questioning brown. Quickly, she searched for a card. "There's no card, but they must be from Ron. He's been apologizing profusely." She glanced again at Narcissa, who held Severus' eyes pinned with her own. "Ron and I had a huge fight," she explained nervously, "back in June and haven't spoken since. He keeps begging for a second chance."
"They're beautiful," Narcissa replied coolly. "But I doubt they're from Mr. Weasley," she added quickly. "There is a language to flowers," she explained. "The tulip stands for passion, and because it is red, the passion is love. The rose has long been a symbol of love, and it confirms the intent of the tulip, but the color pink indicates friendship." She paused, her eyes seeking out and catching Hermione's. "And both flowers are wrapped with a combination of honeysuckle and ivy. They stand for the bonds of love through friendship, fidelity, and marriage."
It almost sounds like she's implying that Severus sent them. Hermione looked suspiciously at the older witch. "So, what are you saying?" she asked quietly with a slight tremor in the tone.
"Simply that whoever sent you these flowers is a dear friend who is formally declaring his love and honorable intentions to you."
"And just how do you know all this?" Hermione challenged her.
"Professor Slughorn taught all his Slytherins the language of flowers, didn't he, Severus?" Her eyes bore holes in her old classmate.
"You asked me to meet you here, Narcissa," Severus remarked, changing the subject.
She sighed. "Draco has been released from Azkaban."
Severus asked, "Has he chosen whether or not to further his education?"
She snorted with bitterness. "He's been refused admittance to every Magical university in the Europe, and no one is willing to hire him." The tears returned. "Filius offered him an apprenticeship, but the Board of Directors refused to consider it." She began to cry. "Oh, Severus, what's to become of my boy?"
"Mrs. Malfoy," Hermione suggested gently, "I think I can help Draco."
"How?" she demanded.
"My parents live in Australia," she explained. "There's a magical university in Sydney. Draco could apply there, and he could stay with them."
"What?" the older witch gasped. She took the handkerchief Severus held out to her and mopped away the tears. "You would do this? For my boy?"
"Of course, I'd help," Hemione replied simply. "Don't get me wrong. I still don't like Draco. He was horrible to me when we were in school. But his life shouldn't be ruined just because he made one stupid mistake if he is truly sorry for it."
"Your parents would take Draco into their home," Narcissa asked in amazement, "knowing how their daughter feels about him?"
"They do not know their own daughter," Severus explained slowly. "Hermione obliviated them and sent them to Australia before the war."
Hermione took a deep breath. "They think I was a British exchange student they hosted. I can tell them Draco is my cousin."
"You're very kind," Narcissa declared, "and I'm very grateful." She reached out and grasped Hermione's hands. "Thank you, Professor Granger."
"Call me Hermione, and you're welcome," she answered as she stood up. "I'll call them now." Turning back just before she exited, she pointed towards the emerald ring the other woman wore. "And since you're engaged to my best friend, I'd like for us to be friends, too."
Narcissa was shocked and not a little confused. Her eyes darted to Severus' perplexed face. "Why does she think we're engaged?" Narcissa asked Severus. "And why didn't you correct her?"
"I have no idea," Severus replied, "but it doesn't matter." His shoulders slumped slightly. "She's going to marry that Weasley boy."
"Only if you're a fool," Narcissa responded quietly.
SHSHSHSHSH
"I got your letter," Ron said gently. Silently, he gazed around at the many bouquets of yellow roses as he took a seat. "Nice office," he said. "I see you got my flowers."
"Yes, I did," she told him. "They're lovely. Thank you."
"I'm sorry, 'mione. I've acted like an arse, and I know that now." He held out his arms. "Look, I've done a lot of thinking, and I've talked to mum and dad. All I can say is that I'm sorry. I love you, you know. Can you forgive me? Please?"
"Ron," she sighed, "I'll always be your friend, you know that."
"Does that mean you forgive me?" he asked eagerly. "And does that mean you're still my girl?" He pointed to her hand. "You're still wearing my ring."
Hermione glanced down at her hand. Uncertainty shown on her face.
"I know I've been overbearing and all, and I won't do it again," Ron told her as he dared reach forward and take her hand. He caressed the engagement ring. "First, I'm sorry I've pushed you to get married so fast. Just because I'm ready now, doesn't mean you are. Ginny tore into me about that, you know." He gave a rueful smile. "She's spending a year playing for the Harpies before her and Harry get married."
"And, I'm sorry I insisted on a big family," he added. "I get it now. It's a woman's choice of how many kids she has. Dad and Mum set me right straight on that, especially Mum."
"I'll bet she did," Hermione replied with a short laugh.
"Yeah, and I'm sorry about buying the house without consulting you," he told her. "In my defense, it really is a great investment opportunity. But, if you don't like it, I'll get with Pansy to finish the renovations and then relist it."
"One more chance, 'mione," he pleaded. "That's all I'm asking. Everyone deserves a second chance, don't they? I mean, Dumbledore gave Snape a second chance after the first war, and Minerva gave Mrs. Malfoy a second chance after this last war." His blue eyes begged her. "Someone even gave the Ferret a second chance. I heard he was moving abroad to go to school."
"I don't know, Ron," Hermione said slowly. "I can't say 'yes' right now."
"But you didn't say 'no' either," Ron pointed out. "I'm willing to do whatever to make this work. Look, we can compromise."
"How?" she asked warily.
"You keep wearing my ring, and we'll keep things on as they are," he suggested. "At least until winter, say December 21, and-"
"That's the middle of the academic year," she told him. "Can't we wait until the year is out? By that time, I should be finished with my apprenticeship."
"All right," he instantly agreed. "But let's agree that sometime during Christmas holidays, January 1 at the latest, we sit down again and re-evaluate things."
"No pressure?" she asked.
Ron inhaled deeply and slowly let out the air. "I'll do my best," he replied.