SNAPE ALIVE!
Severus Snape, Former Hogwarts Headmaster, Slytherin Head of House, Potions Master, and war hero returns, writes Parvati Patil, Special Correspondent.
Even though he had been assumed dead for the last six years, Headmaster Snape appeared in Diagon Alley last night to the shock of all who saw him. All except Miss Hermione Granger who looked gorgeous on his arm in a grey dress, and Mr Harry Potter and Mrs Ginny Potter who accompanied them. (See page 2 for the Potter's baby announcement)
Snape told me in an exclusive interview that he had not died at the fangs of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's snake as earlier reported. He used Muggle techniques, presumably learned when he grew up in a Muggle neighborhood, to trick everyone in the room that he had died. Others in the room included Mr Potter, Ms Granger, and Mr Ronald Weasley.
After the Golden Trio left the room where Snape was presumed dead, he transfigured a stick to look like him and fled the country. He spent the last six years in isolation in Iceland, staying in a house owned by Mr Draco Malfoy. I spoke with Mr Malfoy about finding out his godfather was still alive.
"He was unknowingly living in my Icelandic home. When my house elf told me, I was shocked. I immediately wrote to him and begged him to come home. Britain has been missing a wizard of his skill and talent."
When asked what he was doing in Diagon Alley, he confirmed he was on a date with Ms Granger. They appear to have been on a double date with the Potters as the group then made their way to the brand new Il Meridiano restaurant, owned by Snape's former student, Blaise Zabini.
Upon leaving the restaurant, which all four claimed to be delicious and expressed a desire to return, Snape and Granger stopped to speak to me again. Snape said his date was as good as the food and both of them confirmed that they were looking forward to more nights out together before side-along Apparating away.
The Dark Hero and the Golden Girl looked at ease with each other. Are we looking at Britain's next power couple?
Severus looked at the pictures that had been taken the night before and were now gracing the front page of the Daily Prophet. There was one of the four of them, but his favorite was the large picture they had printed of him and Hermione. It was from when Parvati had first asked if they were dating and he had looked to Hermione to gauge her answer. The camera perfectly captured her small smile, and the smile he gave her in return.
"I'm going to ask Parvati for a copy of that picture. I love it," Hermione said as she looked over his shoulder.
"I was just thinking to myself that it was the best picture I have ever taken. It helps that I had someone so beautiful next to me." Severus glanced over his shoulder to see her cheeks flame.
"Thank you, Severus. But you looked very handsome last night. I don't remember if I told you, but I thought it." Butteries had reappeared in my stomach at his words. "Parvati did a nice job with the article I thought."
"She did. Well, except the part where she called me The Dark Hero. What an idiotic name." Severus scoffed.
"That term was actually coined by Rita Skeeter. Along with my moniker, the Golden Girl." Hermione rolled her eyes. "She also came up with the Golden Trio for Harry, Ron, and I. We hate it."
"What ever happened to Ms Skeeter?"
"Oh, she wrote a horrible article about Kingsley. So I told him she was an unregistered Animagus. She is now in Azkaban surrounded by anti-animagi wards. She is also not allowed to report or write stories in Britain after her release."
Hermione smiled. The day of Rita's sentencing was one of her favourite days.
"Serves her right. She reported nothing but lies." Severus folded the paper in half before turning to look at Hermione fully. "What do you have planned for the day?"
"The full moon is a week from today so I have to brew the first batches of Wolfsbane and take it over to the Lupin House."
"Do all the infected children live there?"
"A few of them do. Some have been adopted, or they live with their families if Greyback didn't kill them. It's just easier for me to drop it off at the orphanage and have everyone come take it." Hermione hesitated for a minute. "Would you like to help me brew?"
As Hermione Apparated away with the Wolfsbane, Severus cleaned up the lab. The last week had been surprisingly nice. He had accompanied Hermione to work on Monday, but after that she had brought the tome home and spent her days in her library studying it. Occasionally she would ask his opinion, or see if he was experiencing the same symptoms as Morgana le Fey's sister, but other than that, she worked in silence.
He would either work in the lab, or grab one of the many books on her shelves that had come out while he was dead. He mostly stayed in the house, but a few times he took his book to the beach to read. After this first trip to the beach, Hermione had shown him a second path that led to a beach that wasn't enchanted. From there he could watch the large waves coming in and crashing against the tall rocks.
Severus found he liked living with Hermione and knew he would miss her presence when he moved out. He was meeting with Harry on Monday to sort out his vault and knew he would have to start looking for a place to buy soon after. Even though Hermione had said he could stay as long as he wanted, he didn't want to overstay his welcome.
Walking out of the lab, he saw Hermione in the kitchen talking to another man. He was hesitant to walk into the kitchen in case this was someone she was dating. She hadn't mentioned having a man in her life, and had said last night was a date, but they never really talked in depth about her love life.
Deciding that, even if she had a boyfriend, Hermione wouldn't mind him coming in he entered the kitchen to see Neville Longbottom.
"Hello, Severus," Hermione greeted him. "Can I get you a cup of tea? Neville just stopped by to check on my gardens."
"Hello, Professor Snape. It is nice to see you," Neville said, standing to shake his hand.
Severus shook his hand, but inwardly he was shocked. Who was this good looking, fit, man before him? What happened to the chubby cheeked imbecile he had taught? He kept looking at him, trying to find some resemblance to the boy he had known and just couldn't do it.
"It is nice to see you as well, Mr Longbottom. Do you come over often?"
"Every couple of weeks. I check on the gardens and make sure everything is going well. Sometimes I bring Pomona with me. She will be happy to hear that I have seen you."
So, the extra boots must belong to Neville and Pomona.
"The gardens are very nice. I told Hermione the potions garden was one of the best I have ever seen. The quality of the ingredients is top notch."
Neville beamed at being complimented. "Thank you, sir." Standing, Neville set his cup on the counter. "I have to be off, Hermione. Luna and I are celebrating our anniversary tonight and I don't want to be late."
"Give Luna my love, Neville," Hermione said as she hugged him goodbye. "I'll see you soon."
After Neville left, Severus turned to Hermione. Nerves filled him as he spoke to her. "Last night you said you would go on another date with me. What do you think about going to the cinema tonight?"
Staying composed on the outside, Hermione was ecstatic that Severus had asked her out. "That would be wonderful. I have been wanting to go see this one film called 'The Notebook'. Would that be okay?"
Relieved she had said yes, Severus agreed right away. Even if the film had the dumbest title ever.
"Severus, wasn't that just wonderful?" Hermione asked as she turned to him, tears still wet upon her face.
"Um… No. It was complete shite," Severus said honestly.
He had hated the movie. And what kind of line was 'If you're a bird, I'm a bird.'? Complete and utter rubbish.
"How can you say that? It was so romantic."
Hermione had loved the movie. The love story was so beautiful. Standing up, they started walking towards the exit.
"It has been a long time since I took in film, but I seem to remember that I liked action movies more than I like romance movies."
Bumping him with her hip, she lightly chuckled. "You are such a man, Severus."
Severus had no idea what that meant. Of course he was a man. What did she think he was? A woman? But what did liking action movies have to do with his gender?
"I am not sure how to take that, but thank you."
They were walking down a street somewhere in Muggle London. Steadying himself, Severus took a chance and reached for her hand. Having almost no experience with dating, he hoped he wasn't about to get smacked. Instead, Hermione just squeezed his hand and turned to smile at him. Sighing in relief, he gave her fingers a slight squeeze back and tried to keep the stump grin that wanted to break out on his face.
"Severus," Hermione sounded shy. "Would you, maybe like to go to the pub before we head home?"
She almost hadn't asked him. They were having such a good night that she didn't want it to end. But she didn't want him to think that she was trying to take over the date either. Maybe she shouldn't have said anything.
"That sounds wonderful. Do you have one in mind?"
He wasn't sure if it was because he was slightly nervous over his growing feelings for Hermione that he drank too much, or if it was because Muggle alcohol was stronger than Wizarding alcohol, but Severus was wasted. Looking at Hermione, he realized she wasn't in much better shape than he was. He wasn't going to complain though. With every drink she downed, the more she would grab his leg or lean up against him.
"Alright, Little One, time to get you home," Severus said, putting his hand on her elbow to steady her.
"I'm not that little!" Hermione yelled as they made their way to the door.
"You're little compared to me. Now come here."
Severus directed her into a deserted side alley. Pulling her body close to his, he wanted to kiss her, devour her. Instead he turned on the spot and Dispparated towards home.
Landing in the entryway, he reluctantly let her go and started for the kitchen.
"I'll get us some hangover potions for the morning," he called over his shoulder.
Hermione was still waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs when he returned. Taking his hand, she led him up the stairs until they stopped in front of the bedroom doors. Taking courage from the spirits she had consumed, Hermione moved onto her tiptoes and kissed Severus.
Pulling back after a few seconds, Hermione leaned her head against his chest.
"I'm sure you'll hate me in the morning for that, but I have wanted to kiss you for a while."
Grabbing her by the face, he tilted her head to look at him. Snape leaned down and gave her a few quick kisses.
"I won't hate you in the morning, I promise," he told her. "I would love to continue this, but I know you will regret this in the morning. You have been drinking too much to make an informed decision."
Severus sighed. He wanted nothing more than to take her into her room and have his way with her, but he was a man of honor, and honorable men never had sex with women who weren't in their right minds.
"Maybe you can kiss me again sometime," she quipped before turning into her bedroom. "Good night, Severus."
Severus stripped out of his clothes, and crawled into bed. For the first time since he had been back, Severus felt his cock stir as he thought about Hermione. Closing his eyes, he pictured Hermione until his orgasm spilled over his belly. Waving his wand to clean himself, he closed his eyes and drifted into a dreamless sleep.
Across the hall, Hermione was thankful for silencing spells as she yelled his name in ecstasy.
A/N: To celebrate my 1 year anniversary as a fanfiction writer, I am posting chapter 1 of my new story on Friday! I hope you check it out.
