Longbottom grinned at him as he sat down for breakfast.
"Good night, Severus?"
"It was tolerable." he drawled back, a tiny quirk on one side of his lips giving him away.
"Liar." Neville laughed. "Admit you had fun, Severus! That almost counted as a smile!"
"I will do no such thing. What is it with you Gryffindors attempting to make me admit things that are simply preposterous!"
Neville had tears in his eyes as he spluttered, "Oh yes, it is indeed simply preposterous that Severus Snape is capable of having fun!"
"Indeed," was all Severus replied, with another small twitch as Harry Potter sat down.
"Morning Neville, Professor."
"Morning, Harry." Neville got out, still attempting to calm himself. "Think I overdid the gladdening gasses in Greenhouse 4. The mandrakes are hitting puberty and they're bloody grumpy."
Severus snorted but refrained from comment as he opened his paper, effectively shutting down any further conversation as he mulled over the previous evening. He'd be lying if he said he hadn't had a good time but he was out of practice with this. He almost snorted again, out of practice? When had he ever been in practice? He had zero experience of relationships. Did she even want a relationship? With him? Gods, this was why he didn't do this. He hated feeling uncertain. Maybe he should just accept friendship. That would be easier. Because really, what woman wanted a relationship with their hated ex-teacher? He'd been deluding himself that they could be any more, bewitched by cinnamon eyes and a mind that rivalled his own.
And if he resumed his breakfast feeling a little melancholy, it was still for the best. Lost inside his own head Severus missed the slightly concerned look Neville shot him when he noticed his change in demeanour.
Hermione sat in George's flat with Angelina, wedding plans covering the table in front of them. She'd left her staff in charge of the shop today, it was a Tuesday, even with the Christmas rush it was still quiet enough that she could leave others to deal with the beginning of the week.
"These are pretty." She said pointing at a picture showing an arrangement of wild flowers.
"Yes." Angelina sighed. "They're all pretty! I have no idea what I want though!"
"You have time, you've not even set a date!" Hermione soothed.
"Yes but, it's George, he'll spring a date on me with a week to prepare having told his mum already. I need to be prepared!"
Hermione smothered a laugh, acknowledging the likelihood that Angelina was right.
"Ok, so how about we narrow down the colour?"
"Ugh!" Angelina threw herself back on the sofa dramatically. "George wants orange. Orange, Hermione!"
Hermione laughed as the floo activated, making them both turn towards the fireplace.
Ginny Potter walked through, her eyes going wide as she spotted Hermione sitting on the sofa.
"Oh fuck." she cursed softly. "Hello, Hermione."
"Ginny."
"I….I can just leave?"
Angelina glanced at Hermione who sighed quietly and shook her head minutely.
"It's fine, Ginny. Was there a reason you're here?"
"Mum sent me with these." she said holding up a ream of parchment. "It's wedding stuff."
Angelina closed her eyes. "Wonderful. More stuff to look at and then not decide on."
Ginny raised her eyebrows questioningly at Hermione.
"She's having trouble deciding on a colour scheme." She replied with a shrug.
"Ah. Then, why don't I leave these with you for a moment. Hermione….could we…." Ginny glanced towards the door, at a loss as to how to finish that sentence.
Hermione nodded slowly as Ginny passed over the parchments to Angelina who was looking at them with barely contained resentment.
"Don't blow anything up. I get enough of that with George. Although if you do, the hall is scorch proof." she said not lifting her eyes from the parchments as Hermione stood.
Hermione followed Ginny into the hall, wondering how this was going to go.
"I'm really sorry." Ginny blurted.
Hermione froze in shock, taking the opportunity, Ginny continued.
"I should have contacted you after Harry….well, just after Harry. I never agreed with the stance he took, you know. I have no idea why he had such blinkers when it came to Ron but he should have known better. I've really missed you."
"I…." Hermione stopped and looked at Ginny who's eyes were wary and sighed, she'd been her only female friend for a very long time. "I really missed you too, Gin."
"Oh thank Merlin." At that Ginny launched herself at her, it was only luck that kept Hermione on her feet.
When she finally let her go, looking slightly sheepish, Ginny took a deep breath. "I understand if you don't want to see him again but he really is sorry. He got a nasty shock after you left I think. He was so used to you being beside him no matter what that he just took it for granted, and then when you weren't there, he assumed for months that you'd come back, accept his apology. When you didn't….it was like watching him grieve a death. I'm not saying he didn't deserve it, and I'm not saying his own stupidity didn't cause it, and I swear this is the only time I will ever have this conversation with you, but he misses you, so bloody much. He's been listening to Neville and Minerva and apparently Snape, care to explain that one, Miss Granger?" she asked with a smirk before continuing " He's devastated that you're coming back slowly and he's not in your life. I'm his wife. I had to say it once but….."she took a deep breath, "I will not let your relationship with me be defined by Harry bloody Potter, so if you decide that you truly can't forgive him this time, and I don't blame you if you do, I'd still really like to see you, be friends again."
Hermione nodded slowly. "I don't know if I can forgive him, Gin. He should have known me better and it hurt, it still hurts that he thought me capable of the things he accused me of. I...we survived, the two of us, alone, for months in that tent, and yet, he still chose Ron over me. He always did. I'm not ready to forgive him yet, I cannot promise I'll ever be but I'd really like to be friends again. I understand if it makes things too awkward though."
"No! No, Harry made his choices, he'll need to live with the consequences. I, please, let's figure something out. I have two little boys who really need an Auntie 'Mione in their lives, even if she thinks their Daddy's an arse."
Hermione laughed slightly. "I'm not sure how I feel about my daughter having the influence of an Auntie Gin. It might make teenage years slightly difficult."
"You have a daughter?" Ginny asked, eyes wide.
"Yes. Cordelia, she's two."
"The same age as James." Gin noted.
Hermione smiled, "George mentioned them. How did Severus take Albus' name?"
Ginny laughed. "He was absolutely horrified. I think I was still high when I agreed to it, Harry was adamant that we honour the man who spent his life protecting him."
Hermione grinned. "I very much intend to tease him about that the next time I see him."
"Planning on seeing him soon? How does Cordelia's father feel about the delightful Professor?" Ginny asked, a faux innocent expression on her face.
Hermione snorted at her. "Subtle as ever. Lia's father is not involved. And I have no idea when I'll next see him, once the Christmas rush dies down I expect. Weekends off are a luxury I do not have at this time of year. And obviously, he's needed at Hogwarts during the week. However we write to each other, it's rare to find someone who challenges my academic opinions."
"Oh is that what the kids are calling it these days?"
"Ginevra Potter! Get your mind out of the gutter, we are friendly acquaintances, nothing more."
"Friendly acquaintances do not send each other priceless books Hermione! Nor do they meet up for little coffee dates, or you know, smile when the other is mentioned the next morning. Neville is a terrible gossip, you know."
"Oh my God."
Ginny snorted a laugh. "Does he like that nickname?"
Hermione looked at her wide eyed in horror until she started to laugh, both of them staring at each other until they were clutching their middles, tears streaming, as the tension they'd both felt on seeing the other melted away with the hysteria.
Angelina opened the door, looking at them in surprise.
"I was just checking there was no blood loss," she began hesitantly, "but I think I'll just leave you to whatever this is….."
Helpless, both Ginny and Hermione laughed harder.
They joined Angelina in the living-room of the flat once they were calm again, noting her look of distaste as she stared at the wedding options.
"Any further forward?" Hermione asked hesitantly.
"No! Merlin, I have no idea what I want!"
"Ok. Let's decide on a colour." Ginny sat down next to Angelina, "We're not allowing George orange for merlin's sake, it would be a disaster! Lovely with your skin tone, hideous with his hair so what colour do you like?"
Angelina looked at her for a moment. "Green. Or Blue."
"Right formal or wild"
"Wild."
" So what about this one?" Hermione handed her a picture of a bouquet of blue and purple larkspur mixed with gypsophila.
"I….I really like that."
"Thank the gods." Hermione laughed. "Blue for your wedding then?"
Angelina sighed in relief. "Yes."
"When are we going dress shopping?"
"After the Christmas rush?" Angelina laughed.
"Sounds perfect. We'll book some fittings in for January?"
"Yes. Yes, let's do that! What would I have done without you!" She exclaimed, slumping in relief having finally made a decision.
The girls laughed as George appeared, eyes going wide as he took in Ginny and Hermione in the same room.
"Everything alright here?" He asked hesitantly.
"Everything's fine," Angelina answered. "I've picked flowers, a colour and we're going dress shopping in January."
He looked around the room warily before dropping his eyes to the photographs.
"That's not orange!"
"No, George, it's blue. I like it, Gin likes it, Angie likes it. Georgie, you aren't going to insist I wear orange are you?" Hermione answered, looking up at him in wide eyed innocence.
"Um….no?"
"Right answer."
Angelina and Ginny smothered a laugh at George's face.
"I don't think I like you three together." He replied.
George sat in his office and grinned. The letter from Minerva McGonagall had been unexpected but he was always up for a little mischief. She wasn't clear on what she wanted but he decided to meet with her anyway, it sounded intriguing, and if it meant 'Mione made her way back into their world, all the better.
He sent off a quick response, agreeing to meet the Professor in the Three Broomsticks the following Friday, wondering if he should ask Angie to come with him. Maybe not. She wouldn't approve of him interfering in Hermione's life. Could he say he was meeting Neville? Probably. Maybe he should meet Neville, he'd help with whatever McGonagall was planning wouldn't he?
He quickly sent off another owl to Neville. Probably best to not lie to his future wife.
He sat in the corner of the Three Broomsticks, waiting on Neville and Professor McGonagall to arrive a few days later. Angie had been slightly surprised but not suspicious when he mentioned meeting Neville for a pint. He spotted them coming in the door and waved to get their attention, waiting until they were seated before he spoke.
"Alright Professor, what's this about, you have me sufficiently intrigued!"
"I have your word this will go no further? Both of you! No smug little remarks, no veiled hints, no teasing?"
Both men nodded looking wary.
"I want to encourage a romance between Severus and Hermione."
George spat out the mouthful of beer he'd just drunk as Neville laughed, waving his wand as he cleared up George's mess.
"I'm not sure they'll need much persuasion, Minerva. Severus is besotted! That little smile when she owls is scarily adorable. And that isn't something I ever thought I'd say about Snape."
"My Hermione?" George asked, still looking shell shocked, "Hermione Granger, Hermione? With Severus Snape? Am I hearing this right?"
His eyes swung from Minerva to Neville, both who had the audacity to smirk at him.
"Didn't you hear about their little coffee date? Neville asked.
"They discussed the latest potions research!" George protested.
Neville snorted. "Foreplay. They're scarily intelligent, no one else can keep up with them. He smiles when she owls for Merlin's sake. Snape! Smiling at breakfast!"
George looked at him with wide eyes, looking slightly green. "Please, I beg you, never, ever mention Snape, Hermione and foreplay in the same sentence ever again. "
Both Minerva and Neville laughed. "I assure you, they're a good match. He likes her and Merlin knows the man has been in love with a ghost long enough. I just need to know if she's interested."
George suddenly looked serious. "Assuming this is not some horrible nightmare I've walked into and this is a real conversation, why would I encourage Hermione to pursue a man who, as you quite rightly pointed out, has been in love with a ghost for decades? She deserves better than someone who is pining for someone else."
Minerva's face softened. "I have no urge to see Miss Granger hurt, Mr Weasley. Severus is….complicated. And he has indeed loved Lily Potter for decades, however I am unsure whether it is romantic love. He may have convinced himself it is, but I do wonder, if faced with the real thing, he'd realise his obsession with the woman was childhood affection laced with guilt. He is happier, since he reconnected with Miss Granger. You know she spent a great deal of time with him while he was recuperating? She was the only person he tolerated for a long time, probably because she's as stubborn as he is and refused to take no for an answer. He hid it well, but once she left Hogwarts, he missed her. I genuinely believe they could have a chance at something wonderful. And Merlin knows they both deserve it."
George sighed. "I'm not saying I can't see it from an intelligence point of view, Gods know very few people can keep up with 'Mione. But is there genuine attraction there? I want Hermione back, permanently and I'm willing to do just about anything to make it happen but I won't allow her to be hurt. I've only just started to get her back properly, I won't let anyone mess that up. She gets hurt again and her move to the muggle world will likely be permanent. She's stronger than she was but underneath it all, she still questions whether she's good enough, even if she hides it well. I know she spent time with him while he was recovering and I know they owl now, but attraction? Truly? He's her old teacher, and he's what, almost twenty years her senior?"
Neville nodded. "She blushed when she spoke of him the last time we met. He was amazing with Lia apparently, which surprised us all. And Lia adored him, she asked me if I'd brought her Sev'us with me when I saw her last. However, both of them are overthinkers. I'm almost convinced Severus talked himself out of pursuing anything with her the morning after their coffee date, he was scarily happy and then he sort of slumped into himself. Hermione is the same. What is the bet that she'll have convinced herself that he still loves Lily and therefore they'll never be more than friends?"
George rubbed his hands over his face still attempting to picture Mione with Professor Snape, his brain forcibly recoiling at the idea of picturing Professor Snape with anyone, much less the woman he thought of as a cross between a little sister and his best friend.
"Right, so say I agree with you about 'Mione overthinking. What are you planning on doing about Snape overthinking? And are we really sure there's attraction there?" He knew he was whining but he was really struggling to wrap his brain around this.
"Ok, how about you sound out 'Mione. Minerva can speak to Severus. And in January, assuming we're all happy, we can, I don't know, lock them in a room together until they stop being idiots?"
Minerva snorted. "Your planning requires work Mr Longbottom. Both of them would hex you into oblivion if you tried that. I would suggest a two fold attack. Potions" she dipped her head at George, "that requires Severus' input. He helps occasionally does he not?" At George's nod, she continued "Wonderful. You will suggest to Miss Granger and then Severus that she has the perfect ingredients in her garden. She has a greenhouse just for you, no?"
George was grinning at her. "She does Professor."
"And of course you are sadly far too busy replenishing stock after Christmas to go and collect them yourself. And then, we will discuss the modernisation of the library, there are some texts we are missing I'm sure. I shall suggest that as my deputy, Severus should take over the organisation, I am, after all, exceedingly busy. And of course, the new year is Hermione's quiet period, Kingsley tells me she does most of her text sourcing then. It will necessitate several meetings, you know, to comb through the library and ensure the correct texts are found."
George was laughing. "So instead of locking them in a room we're going to throw them at each other until they give in?"
Minerva glared at him "Do you have a better idea Mr Weasley?"
"Nope, none at all Professor. He said quickly, her glare giving him flashbacks to his school days as he ignored Neville's smothered laugh.
"Ange?" he voiced hesitantly once he was home that night.
Angelina looked at him with a raised brow.
"What do you think of Hermione and Professor Snape?"
Angie's jaw dropped as she fought to collect herself, trying to ignore the images that statement conjured, surely he couldn't mean it the way it sounded?
"I'm not sure I follow George." she settled on eventually.
George fidgeted slightly causing her eyes to widen.
"George? What are you up to?"
"Promise you won't say anything? McGonagall would murder me."
"What has Professor McGonagall got to do with anything?" she asked, utterly bewildered.
"She's got it into her head that Mione and Professor Snape would be good together. I...I'm not sure how I feel about it."
"Hermione and….Professor Snape….together? As in together, together?"
George nodded slowly.
"Fuck. Right." she paused as she mulled that over properly. "Actually, now I've thought about it its not as bizarre as you'd first imagine."
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Well, they're both scarily brilliant, stubborn, and she smiles when she talks about him, you know. I hadn't really thought anything of it, I don't know her as well as you but he came up in conversation a couple of times when she was here. Gin made some veiled references that now make much more sense. And he's met Lia, she adored him apparently, which Mione said was unusual. Didn't she spend quite a bit of time with him when he was recovering?"
George nodded silently, staring in front of him as he processed that. "You truly think it could work?" he asked eventually.
"Look Georgie, I don't know her as well as you do but yes, based on what little I do know, I wouldn't be surprised if it worked. Do I want to know what you and McGonagall cooked up? Is Neville involved too?"
"Yeah, he was there. And it seems like carefully orchestrated ways to sort of force them to spend time with each other. I don't think I like it." he said with a frown.
"Because it's Mione or because it's Professor Snape?"
"Both? Neither? I don't know. What if it's awful? I've only just got her back, Ange."
Angie smiled at him gently, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know, Georgie. What if it's exactly what she needs? She's lonely you know? She's never outright said it but she is. And she's struggling to balance the guilt of spending time with other people, away from Lia . It's like she's forgotten how to be Hermione, she's so used to being either Lia's mum or bookshop owner. The day she was here for wedding planning, she mentioned Helen had to force her out the door because as much as she wanted to help, work is busy and she felt like if she wasnt there she should be with Lia. Maybe what she needs is someone who understands the loneliness and who is stubborn enough to force her out of those roles every now and then."
"I….damnit Ange, you weren't supposed to make sense! Fine. Let's prepare ourselves to welcome Professor Snape into the family. Although…..family makes him fair game for pranking. It's the rule." he said as a slow, slightly wicked smile began to creep over his face.
"Only if you'd like him to hex you Georgie." Angie laughed.