Everyone has returned to Hogwarts. Hermione is in the hospital wing recovering from her elixir addiction, and Lucius Malfoy is in jail. Unfortunately, there is the aftermath of Severus' apparent affair with Hermione to contend with.
Murder, Magic, Mayhem, and Madness
iI owe a huge thank you to my betas, Pookah and MadBrilliant, for sticking with me through to the end with this story and helping me clean up my many mistakes. I know that I was pushy and nervous—especially as the deadline approached, and you both really seemed to understand and gave me so much encouragement, it was like oxygen for me. I really appreciate it, so very much.
And to era1960 for being there when I needed to bounce ideas and have a second opinion, thank you for being a friend./i
centerRetuning to Hogwarts/center
Severus had been right. After Lucius and Mr. Olsen had been subdued and carted off to Azkaban, Kingsley had taken Hermione and her friends into the manor. Severus had successfully released Hermione and her friends from the curses they had been under, but he wanted to wait a bit before starting Hermione on the necessary potions. Kingsley had asked Harry, Ron and Neville, to see Amanda, Margery and Luna safely to their homes, and then to report to him at the Ministry. After freeing Mr. and Mrs. Granger from the Imperius Curse, Arthur and Kingsley had taken the Grangers to the Ministry to help them sort things and to offer them Ministry support in helping them to relocate and reestablish their dental practice. Ginevra had gone home with her mum.
Severus had escorted Hermione to the Burrow himself after helping her collect all her personal belongings from the Manor. Lucius had been extremely generous to the girl, and although at first Hermione had wanted to leave all the clothes and jewelry behind, Severus talked her into taking them as 'war spoils'. But Hermione insisted she would sell the jewels and donating the proceeds to charity.
Kingsley had shown up at the Burrow later with the Grangers. Severus felt a little uncomfortable at the Burrow, choosing to sit in the corner of the lounge, but he was loath to leave Hermione in case she might need him, considering Hermione had taken her first dose of the potions once they'd arrived. He sipped on his warm spiced cider while Arthur talked to Mr. and Mrs. Granger, answering their questions, trying to reassure and relieve them of their concerns.
"If we'd known that things were so dangerous in your world, we'd never have consented to let Hermione go to Hogwarts," Mr. Granger said as he toyed with the glass in his hands.
"These last few years have been extraordinary, what with the rise of Tom 'Voldemort' Riddle and all," Arthur said earnestly. "This thing with Lucius Malfoy—there are laws against that, and most of us in the wizarding society are peaceful, good minded people. Hermione has simply been swept up into some unfortunate circumstances."
"But our daughter… We don't like the idea of her getting into so many dangerous situations and—he enchanted her. She was helpless," Mrs. Granger said, her maternal concern evident on her face.
"Miss Granger is an exceptional witch. She's extremely talented, intelligent, very capable, and resourceful," Severus said smoothly, unable to keep quiet. "Yes, Lucius Malfoy took advantage of her, something Hermione is not likely ever to allow another to do again."
"You said that you love her, and she loves you," Mr. Granger said, turning to Severus.
Severus nodded, knowing that he should have done more and much sooner.
"But you let her get trapped by this wizard…"
"Jeffery!" Mrs. Granger exclaimed.
"Well, he did," Mr. Granger replied, somewhat defensively.
"I tried to help her as soon as I found out about the means Lucius was using—I acted as best I could. I assure you, I will do everything in my power to help her," Severus said, his lips curling into a smile as Arthur and Kingsley both opened their mouths to comment. "As will all her friends. Believe me, Hermione is very well connected to many capable and powerful wizards."
"You said you love my daughter? Aren't you a bit—well, you're older than she is by a good start," Mr. Granger said, looking at Severus as if sizing him up.
Severus noted that the look he was getting at least wasn't hostile. "Unlike Muggle marriages, an age difference like Hermione and I have is not uncommon. Wizards and witches can live long lives, sometimes three times that of Muggles. But yes, I am older than she is, but I care greatly for your daughter. However, the decision will be hers. I would not force her into any relationship with me."
"I think we owe you a great deal, Mr. Snape," Mrs. Granger said. "From what your Minister has told us, you were the one to help our little girl—in fact you have for years, and I thank you."
"Please call me, Severus," he replied, relaxing his shoulders. "I did what I could."
"And then some," Mrs. Granger said. "For that, I thank you, Severus."
Severus raised his glass and inclined his head. "You're welcome."
center~*~/center
From the corner of her eye, Hermione saw Ginny pull out two books and carry them over to the window where Hermione stood, looking out at the orchard. She was already feeling queasy, the onset of the withdrawals, but the worst of it hadn't started yet. She knew that Ginny felt guilty that she had to go through them again, but Hermione blamed Lucius for it more than her friend.
"I was supposed to show you these. I guess it's a moot point now," she said sadly. "Severus lent them to me to show you."
Hermione turned her head. "What?"
Ginny handed her the books. "I was—you got so sick. I was waiting until the antidote worked and you…" Ginny started to explain, and then faltered. Her eyes began to fill with tears. "I'm so sorry, Hermione. I couldn't tell anyone! Lucius, he cursed me, too! By the time I realized I was under the Imperius, and Merlin knows what else, it was the day before hols! I told Snape, and he took the spells off me, then he made you an antidote and detoxifying potion. But I wasn't able to give you enough…"
"The drink on the train, the one that made me sick… That—it was an antidote and detoxifying potion that you gave me—Severus made it for you to give me?" Hermione asked, surprised that he'd asked Ginny to 'treat' her and not have her admitted to St. Mungo's or kept her at the hospital wing at Hogwarts. But then Lucius would have come to get me, or would he? Would he have storm the castle and risk exposure? And Azkaban. Would he have been that determined? She wasn't sure what he'd have done. "Why didn't you tell me what you were doing?"
Ginny shrugged. "I tried to, but you were under spells, too, and not thinking clearly! And when you came here, you became really sick—so quickly. I didn't tell Mum because I thought I should talk to you about the drugging first and… Hermione, he almost won—almost ensnared you in a magical marriage!"
Hermione looked at the books in her hands as she thought about what to say to Ginny. Ginny slumped down on her bed and hugged her pillow while Hermione flipped through the pages deep in thought. iSo much has happened, so much I still don't know about. I feel stupid for allowing myself to fall prey to Lucius so easily. And I can't blame Ginny, really. She was a victim, too./i She stopped at the page for the Rhwyd Cyffoden Elixir, remembering that was one of the potions Severus mentioned and removed the marker. She sucked in her breath as she read the ingredients and the potions effect. "Cannabis, poppy seeds, digitals… semen and blood… This is the one he gave me?"
Ginny nodded. "Snape used the directions from an old journal when he created your detoxifying potion, and the other book has the antidote."
Hermione opened up the book and found another marker. She read the explanation and directions, scanned down the list of ingredients. "You have to use the semen and blood from the… How?" Hermione asked, looking up at Ginny wondering how in the world Severus could have collected samples of Lucius' blood and semen.
"When Severus separated the disparate elements of the potion ingredients in your mead and the chocolates, he reused the blood and semen to create your antidote," Ginny said, setting the pillow on her lap. "Apparently there was enough."
Hermione looked at the directions again. "He brewed this for me?" she asked, amazed at the exact precision necessary to brew the potion correctly and read the warnings and contraindications. Even the smallest mishap and I'd have died! He brewed this! For me! His talent at potion making always amazed her.
Ginny nodded. "He said it had to sit a day before you could drink it, and it had to be given to you twice a day. I tricked you into drinking it on the train because Snape said that you'd not understand until you could think clearly for yourself—and I believed him."
Hermione sat down next to Ginny and hugged her. "Thank you. So, just think, I get to go through it yet again."
"I know, I'm so sorry. If I'd given you more of it, you'd have been well enough to resist Lucius," Ginny said, looking utterly downcast.
"No, not likely, Gin," Hermione said to reassure her friend. "Lucius was determined to marry me, and he went to great lengths to ensnare me. I think he'd have forced me to take his potions anyway."
"You'll probably right. Snape gave you a dose when he was reversing the curses on you, but he said Lucius had been giving you his potion again. I don't know how he knows that, but he does. It's why you feel nauseated—that's the potions acting against each other," Ginny replied, and looked at Hermione earnestly. "You'll need more of it tonight. Are you mad at me for tricking you?"
"No… okay, a little put out, but considering the circumstances, I forgive you," Hermione said, not sure exactly how she felt at the moment. She felt really nauseated, and her hands were slightly shaky. "Is that why I was so sick over Christmas? Withdrawals? Is it going to be as bad as last time?"
Ginny shrugged. "I don't know," she admitted solemnly. "I suppose it depends on how much of the elixir Lucius gave you. I surely hope not."
Severus came up to Ginny's room to administer her next dosing of the potions, and by dinner, Hermione was feeling worse and could barely eat. An hour later, the withdrawals were getting bad again. Severus helped Hermione sit down on the sofa to examine her. He tried to get Hermione to drink some broth Molly made, but Hermione could barely drink it, let alone keep it down. He pulled a brown bottle from his pocket and handed it to Hermione. "Drink this," he urged her as he tipped the bottle to her lips.
Hermione complied, making a face at the horrible taste. "Blah, that's awful!"
"But necessary," Severus said smoothly.
Hermione curled up in a fetal position, grasping her waist, and he laid his hand gently on her back. The warmth of his hand was soothing, comforting, and the look of concern on his face would have made her smile, if she didn't feel so awful.
"Hermione? What's wrong with her?" her mother asked worriedly. "Why is she getting sick?"
Her father watched, apparently uncertain whether to try and help or stand back and let Severus treat his daughter. "I thought she would be fine now! She's getting worse!" Both her mother and Molly were trying to get to Hermione's side to help her.
"It the withdrawals from the elixir," Severus stated. "She'll need care. I'm going to take her to the hospital."
Molly nodded and turned to comfort Hermione's mother as Severus wrapped Hermione in a blanket and carried her from the Burrow. He Apparated to the school gates and carried her to hospital wing. All that night, Severus stayed by Hermione's bedside, trying to cool her fever down with cold compresses, and urging her to drink a rich beef broth and a dark green liquid the house-elves made for her from boiling greens and chicken. When the cramps wracked her body, Severus pulled her against him and laid his hands firmly on her abdomen or where she hurt the most, allowing his body heat to help sooth her. Eventually, Hermione fell asleep, curled up in Severus' arms.
center~*~/center
Madam Pomfrey arrived the following morning, expecting a busy morning of restocking her stores and making a list of all her requirements for the start of term. What she found was Headmaster Snape in her hospital wing, sitting on one of her beds, holding Miss Granger in his arms while dabbing her face with a flannel compress. "Headmaster, what in the blazes?"
"She's going trough withdrawals," he replied softly, shifting Hermione so he could get up and talk to her.
Hermione moaned at the loss of his presence, reaching out for him as he stood up.
"Maybe I should…"
But madam Pomfrey needed to talk to him. "No, Severus, leave her. She'll be fine for a few minutes." Besides, the girl looked well cared for. "Tell me everything, and don't leave anything out," she warned the Headmaster.
Madam Pomfrey listened in earnest to everything Severus said, asking questions to clarify what she didn't understand or had a hard time believing. "Lucius Malfoy used the Rhwyd Cyffoden Elixir to ensnare Miss Granger into marrying him?" she asked, dumbfounded. She turned to look at Miss Granger lying curled up and groaning on the cot. The poor girl! No wonder she's going through withdrawals. That potion is horribly addictive.
"He also used the Adulterare Impietatis and the Proditionis on her rings, the Hypnotize-bewitching Curse on Hermione and her friends and the Nexinlaquare Curse on Hermione and Miss Weasley."
"NO!?" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed, shocked that anyone would go to such lengths.
center~*~/center
Ginny read the cover story of the iSunday Prophet/i in the train car with a grin. A picture from the wedding graced the front page, showing the Minister, her dad, Harry, Ron, and six Aurors arresting Lucius Malfoy and his best man, Chester Olsen, as the wedding guests scrambled to get out of the way of the wand fight. Bill, Fleur, and George were using Shield Charms as they helped a few of the older guests to safety and Hagrid was using his body as a shield for a few more as he deflected spells with his umbrella. Ginny smiled as she saw herself pulling Hermione from Lucius' grasp and out of harm's way. The article reported on Lucius' attempt to ensnare Hermione into marriage by use of illegal enchantments. It also divulged that it was Chester Olsen, an amateur brew master, who had brewed Lucius' mead.
Ginny smirked at the reported events of how Severus saved Hermione. The details of the discovery and how the plot was foiled were a bit skewed, but most of what happened at the wedding was fairly accurate. When she turned the page, Ginny scowled at the headline and the following article.
bcenterHogwarts Headmaster Confesses Love For A Student/b
by Rita Skeeter
iLove seems to abound at Hogwarts, which as we all know isn't unusual among teenagers. However, it has come to the attention of this reporter that the tall, dark, brooding, and sometimes acerbic Headmaster Severus Snape has been harboring romantic feelings for one of his charges. The student in question is none other than Miss Hermione Granger, heroine of the Great Wizarding War and best friend and onetime romantic interest of Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Defeated-Tom 'Voldemort' Riddle—twice.
In an astounding revelation, Severus Snape, Headmaster of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, declared his love for Miss Hermione Granger to the public at the nuptials of Miss Granger to Mr. Lucius Malfoy as the ceremony was reaching its conclusion on the second of January. The reserved and fustian wizard who helped Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore defeat Tom Riddle, aka: self-proclaimed Lord Voldemort, announced that not only did he love Miss Granger, but that Miss Granger apparently harbored similar feelings for the Headmaster.
I know what you are asking yourself; when exactly did Miss Granger develop this supposed romantic interest in the Headmaster? And just how long has Severus Snapes' infatuation for Miss Granger been going on? And just how far has this relationship progressed? …/i/center
"Of all the nerve!" Ginny exclaimed, slamming the paper down on her lap.
"What?" Amanda asked, lowering her iQuidditch Illustrated/i.
Ginny handed her the iProphet/i. "Read it yourself! That nosey parker slag!"
Luna leaned over to read the article. Amanda looked up at Ginny, her eyes wide as saucers. "You don't think that I said…"
"No, it's that Skeeter wench," Ginny quickly interjected. "It's just like her to say stuff like this."
center~*~/center
There was plenty of talk in the Great Hall that night at dinner. Severus arrived late and stayed only long enough to make his start of term announcements before he slipped from the Great Hall through a side door. Rumors abounded that Hermione was in the hospital wing, so as soon as dinner was over Ginny, Amanda, and Margery fled to the first floor to see her.
Luna was already standing next to a table that had been placed beside the door, examining a twiggy plant with tiny white flowers and bouquet of flowers that looked like they might have come from one of the school's greenhouses. "He won't let anyone in," she said sadly.
"He?" the girls all asked, and Ginny's brow creased in confusion, "What happened to Madam Pomfrey?"
Luna looked up. "Oh, she's fine. I meant the Headmaster. He's in there with Hermione. We may leave our tokens and cards on the table here, but he's not letting anyone in unless they are in 'dire straits, dying, bleeding to death, or cursed, hexed, or jinxed in such a manner that none of the professors can reverse it,'" she said, making her voice lower and stern to imitate Severus.
Ginny sat down on the floor. "Well, I'm waiting until I can go in," she said defiantly, kicking the door with her foot.
center~*~/center
The following morning, letters and Howlers arrived on Severus' desk. He simply burned the letters after scanning each one, cast a Muffling Charm around his desk, and allowed the Howlers to shout their messages all at once before heading to breakfast.
At breakfast he made the morning announcements and then went up to check on Hermione and give her her potions. He did so again at lunch and after dinner, since he absolutely had to be in the Great Hall for at least one meal a day.
Severus handled his afternoon post in a likewise fashion as he had the morning post, completely unconcerned about the opinions of a bunch of old nosey parkers and binty housewives who had no business being bothered by his private affairs.
The following day and the day after that were much the same for him.
center~oo0oo~/center
Hermione struggled for several days to break the addiction of Lucius' mead. She knew each time Severus entered the hospital wing, and counted the soft clicks of his footsteps until he appeared around the curtain. Like clockwork and with perfect timing, he came to see her morning, noon, and night, each time she needed another dose of one of his potions. It was ironic to Hermione that the antidote that tasted bad and made her ill had the same citrus flavor and musky, salty taste that was somewhat similar to Lucius' mead—the one she craved because it had made her feel good. But the detoxifying potion, which still made her feel dizzy and weak, wasn't as unpleasant to her anymore. The vitamin-enriched restorative potion, a thick, root-flavored drink, was given to her at meal times. It wasn't lost on Hermione that now that the tables had changed; Severus not only gave her the potions, he read to her, talked to her, and, on occasion, forced her to eat or drink just as she'd done when he'd been at St. Mungo's. The big change was in his manner; it was caring, concerned, and yet still slightly abrasive.
"You will finish this," he snapped, although his words didn't have the sharp edge they might've had toward her only five months ago.
"Severus, I'm full," she said softly, trying to turn her head even though he was supporting her. The cup tilted at her lips and Hermione obligingly took a sip between words. "Really… enough… I…"
"Three more sips and I'll let you ask me questions," he said in a cool tone, but one Hermione knew to be his facetious sense of humor.
"How about if you just read to me instead?" she tried to bargain with him.
One side of his lip curled upward as he titled the cup to her lips again. "No. I am not reading you any more poetry. You can forget it."
Hermione pursed her lips together tightly.
"No," he said firmly. "No."
She kept her lips pressed together as tightly as she could.
"No." He tipped the cup again and sighed as the potion simply trickled down her chin instead of into her mouth. "Okay, finish the rest, and I'll read Byron," he said, sounding deeply reluctant. "All of it."
Hermione grasped the cup, still assisted by Severus, and drank the last of the contents.
"You do know that I hate it when you're being childish?" he snarled at her.
"And I love listening to your voice when you read to me," she replied, settling against her pillows with a huge grin as he reached for book on top of the stack by her bed.
"Thankfully, you'll be out of here in few days," he grumbled as he opened the book up to the marker.
center~oo0oo~/center
Hermione was released after two weeks of detoxification. She no longer craved the honeyed taste of Lucius' mead, and she felt more her old self. When she entered her dorm room, she was surprised to see all the flowers had disappeared. Amanda and Ginny jumped up when they saw her and rushed over. Margery stood by her bed, grinning. "Good to have you back!"
"How do you feel?"
"Let her talk!"
"So you're cured?"
"Are you okay now?" her friends all asked at once.
Hermione laughed as she hugged Ginny, whispering, "Thank you," in her ear before hugging Amanda and walking over to hug Margery. "It's good to be back. So what all did I miss?" The girls laughed and started filling her in on the gossip and goings on.
"You know you're loads behind," Amanda stated teasingly, sitting next to Hermione on her bed. "You'll inever/i catch up."
"Knowing her, it won't takeithat/i long for her to catch up," Ginny said, sitting on her bed with her feet on her trunk. "It will be weeks of her keeping us up late nights from her wandlight, but she'll catch up."
"Not really, it's only one month's worth," Margery stated, leaning on Hermione's bedpost. "It should take her two weeks tops." She turned to look at Hermione. "Oh, Professor McGonagall said that if you need more time—you get an extension, and Miss Caycee, her assistant, will work with you to learn the spells you missed."
"Professor Flitwick said the same thing—in fact all the assistants will help you catch up," Amanda stated, smiling. "You're not too far behind in Runes considering you were so far ahead of the class before all this that you're actually only missing three projects and two essays in that lesson. That should take you what? A weekend?"
"All that in a weekend? I am not ithat/i much of a swot," Hermione said as she picked up her pillow and chucked it at Margery. "But I'm sure I'll catch up. What happened to the flowers?" Hermione asked.
"As if I'd let them stay in the room after what he did to us!" Margery said, slightly abashed. "I made sachets out of them—they're in your wardrobe. By the way, how's Severus?"
"He was most solicitous during your recovery," Amanda said. "Who'd have thought? He's even being rather courteous lately."
Hermione looked at Amanda, surprised. "Well, at least he added please when he threw us out of the hospital wing," Ginny said, grinning. "He's even allowed us, the three of us, to call him Sevie in private."
"Yeah, right!" Hermione rolled her eyes and laughed at her teasing. "Private, as in here in our room you mean."
Her three friends started laughing with her. "Yes, but he is calling us by our first names when no one—and I mean, ino one/i—is around," Ginny stated. "And he didn't give me a year's worth of detentions for calling him Severus in the hospital yesterday. Of course, no one was around to overhear me so that might be the reason."
"You know, I think he's a much better choice," Margery said, moving to sit next to Ginny. "That's if you're insistent on chasing after older wizards, he's not a bad choice. Well, he's not imy/i type, but when he looks at you, his face softens, and he looks almost handsome, in a dark, broody, Byronic sort of way, I suppose. At least you know that he really cares about you."
"Oh, Marg, he's all right! But you're right, he looks so different now that the war and everything is over," Amanda said. "I know he was really concerned for you, Hermione. He insisted that your bed be cordoned off from the rest of the hospital ward, and it was a miracle he'd allow ius/i to see you. I heard him and Madam Pomfrey arguing. She told him she was fully capable of treating you, but he insisted that he was going to do it personally. He even threatened to take you to the dungeons. Who knows?"
"He wouldn't have really done that!" Hermione exclaimed and Ginny started laughing.
"Or to his tower," Ginny stated. "Merlin, that would set off the old bints. Headmaster locks student in his tower, continued on page three."
"Rita has been rather busy," Margery said.
"Do you think he'll get into trouble over this?" Hermione asked, remembering the latest article by Rita Skeeter.
"Hey, with Severus, you never know," Amanda stated. "Regardless, I think that he's a better choice that Lucius was."
"You know, I think I agree," Hermione said. "So, be honest, what idid/i I miss in my lessons?"
center~oo0oo~/center
Severus received the Inquiry of Suspension notice from the school governors with all twelve signatures on it, informing him that a formal investigation was being conducted in regard to his reported affair with a student. All of Hermione's professors were given notification that they would be questioned, and that their grade books and all of Hermione's essays and exams would be examined. Severus held an informal meeting with Hermione's professors in the staff room, asking them to cooperate and to be honest and forthright with the governors.
"I want you all to know that any relationship or romantic notions that developed between Hermione and myself began iafter/i the war, while we were both patients in St Mungo's. Before the war, I did inot/i harbor any untoward feelings nor make any advances on the girl—iever/i. She was my student and I was her professor, and there was nothing more than that. However, Hermione and I, we had a bit of a misunderstanding over the summer, which caused us to end the relationship, and she began a…" He wasn't going to call the ensnarement a relationship. "She became the victim of Lucius Malfoy. It wasn't until last month that I was aware of the situation, and only… well, while breaking the curses on her engagement ring, did I realize that my feelings for the girl hadn't changed." Saying all of this so openly was hard for him, he hated confessions, but they had to know the truth. "I do love her, and I think she still loves me. I just wanted you to know."
"This is a bloody outrage! Surely you haven't been inappropriate with the girl!" Professor Horace Slughorn said aghast.
"But, Severus, surely you don't think that they will…" Professor Lillieth Scythe said, worrying the hem of her sleeve.
"Yes, I do," Severus said. "If the school governors request that I leave, Minerva will take my place as Headmistress, and Professor Flitwick shall be made Deputy Headmaster."
"So you really think they will find you guilty?" Minerva asked, laying a hand on her chest in shock.
Severus looked at Minerva and sighed. "Minerva, some of the things reported about Hermione and me are accurate, most of what that scuttlebutt Skeeter wrote is not. However, if I learned anything from this last war, it is to be prepared for all possible outcomes."
Pomona and Filius looked shocked, Minerva incensed, and Lillieth's mouth dropped open. In contrast, Horace and Septima Vector were eyeing him appraisingly.
center~oo0oo~/center
The next morning, six members of the school governors, Mrs. Shirpa Singh, Mr. Egbert Doherty, Mr. Henry Clayton, Mrs. Irene Pepperberg, Mr. Edward Price, and Mr. Jerome Walther, entered Severus' office to question him in detail about his relationship with Hermione. The interrogation lasted nearly three hours. Severus answered each question honestly, not denying his interest in the girl, but also not offering any information beyond that which was asked, and denying adamantly that he'd never accosted Hermione, forced himself on her or engaged her in any sexual activities. He didn't bother mentioning the times he'd kissed her though. No need to volunteer information that the board didn't know about.
The governors tried asking the portraits about any illicit behavior that they might have witnessed as well. Severus was surprised that they were quite closed-mouthed about his relationship with Hermione. Most of them, like him, only gave the investigators succinct answers to the questions asked, and thankfully volunteered no incriminating information.
Dilys Derwent was outraged by their accusations of impropriety, stating that he behaved himself at all times, only showing a modicum of concern for the girl. "Besides, the girl is eighteen, a very capable witch in her own right and technically a legal adult who is here only to finish her NEWTs. Had she developed an infatuation with Severus, they generally conducted themselves with restraint," the portrait stated, thankfully not mentioning the time Severus had kissed her. But then she'd been quite in favor of the relationship between Hermione and himself, so maybe that was why she was protecting him.
Albus Dumbledore and Armando Dippet, who had likewise been supportive of his feelings for Hermione, both proclaimed that they did not witness any untoward sexual behavior between Miss Granger and the Headmaster or that Severus had seduced his student. Fortescue Dexter defended Severus' actions as being of deep concern for the girl, considering she was a target of a killer, which Carwyn Moncrieff confirmed. Phineas Black scoffed at the idea that Severus had tried anything of an illicit sexual nature, other than to speak to the girl on occasion and show an interest in her education and wellbeing. Albus addressed the accusation regarding Hermione's visits while Severus had been incapacitated, admitting that Hermione had been escorted in to see him, but there were now interactions between them of a sexual nature during those visits. Everard was suspiciously absent from his frame.
Through the rest of the week, the governors thoroughly questioned each of Hermione's professors and reviewed every one of Hermione's essays and exam results. Severus was highly amused when he overheard Mr. Price, Mr. Walther, and Mr. Clayton complaining to Mrs. Pepperberg about the lengthy and very detailed essays Hermione had written during her years at Hogwarts, remembering what it had been like to have to grade them for six years.
Severus knew that they had to look up each reference in every book Hermione quoted or referenced to validate her work and that not iall/i the books, journals, and periodicals were readily available in the Hogwarts library. Several of the journals Hermione read were her own, many of the books for the current year were Lucius,' and quite a few essays years five through the current year utilized journals, books and publications from Potter's library in Grimmauld Place, a fact Severus imparted to Mrs. Peppertree with some satisfaction. The staggering amount of reference material alone overwhelmed several of the investigators, another thing that Severus remembered from his years as her teacher.
Hermione had been asked to be interviewed, but Professor McGonagall had insisted that she be allowed to be present to assure the girl's rights. Hermione sat in Professor McGonagall's office, answering questions, denying allegations and innuendos, dispelling rumors, and defending her actions for nearly two hours, before Professor McGonagall put a stop to it. Likewise, Ginny, Amanda, Margery, Demelza, and Luna, and several of the prefects were also questioned, but none of them could recall any inappropriate behavior or comments between Hermione and himself over the course of the last six and a half years, much to Severus' relief.
In the end, all that the governors uncovered was that, in fact Severus did have a romantic interest toward Miss Granger, which he already confessed to, and that Hermione likewise had an infatuation toward the Headmaster. The infatuation began after the war, while both had been recuperating in St. Mungo's, and that they had in fact 'broken up' as Miss Granger put it, back in August, so that once back at school, both had simply resumed their proper roles, even though they admitted that the feelings they'd had for the other were still remained, albeit repressed. There was also the fact that Miss Granger had been ensnared into an engagement with another man for the last five months, one she was now free of, that had to be considered. And the girl was a legal adult of eighteen.
Since there was no evidence to suggest that Hermione received any favoritism unjustly earned from her professors and that her marks were appropriate to the level of work she put into her studies and that no truly inappropriate behavior was revealed or confessed to, the board reluctantly dismissed the allegations of inappropriate behavior with a student.
Their finding was printed in the morning edition of the iDaily Prophet/i.
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Weeks went by, stretching into months, and still Severus kept his distance. He thought it best. Patience being a virtue, patience and perseverance will out, all good things to those who waited, and all that rubbish. But he'd learned patience, and Severus didn't give up on what he wanted easily. He simply had to wait things out and for his opportunity. Besides, even though he'd been cleared of misconduct with a student, he knew he was still being observed closely. He was not going to give the old bints new fodder to get him fired or to make Hermione's last year at school difficult.
He still followed Hermione on her patrols and occasionally crossed her path in the library. On those occasions he'd talk to her, ask after her lessons and offer her encouragement, although he kept his hands firmly gripped tighter behind his back so he'd not give into the urge to kiss her. as much as he truly wanted to. Desperately. His time would come.
In the Great Hall, he was more cautious than before when he watched her or just glanced in her direction. However, when their gazes met, he would smile slyly and nod slightly, pleased when she did the same. Those little exchanges generally made him frustrated, the pretense adding to his annoyance that he couldn't openly be with her, but he reminded himself that in one month, two weeks and eight days, she would no longer be a student and he could once again be forthright and open with her. He simply had to wait.
The professors were heaping extra work on the fifth- and seventh-years as they prepared them for their O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s. so he knew that would give Hermione enough to focus on, rather than his lack of action.
He could see the strain on Hermione's face, and he watched her as she revised with her friends either in the Great Hall or in the library whenever she wasn't in lessons. From his point of view, she was holding up well, the strains of the first half of the year apparently put behind her. She'd even gained a little weight, but she still wasn't sleeping well, if the dark circles under her eyes were any indication. As much as he wanted to talk to her, hold her in his arms, he knew he had to be patient. There was still time to win her back, and he knew it.
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The pressure of N.E.W.T.s grew as the professors heaped loads of extra work on the seventh-years. Hermione spent every waking hour revising when she wasn't in lessons or carrying out her prefect duties. She hardly had anytime to brood over her lack of love life. Besides, she knew that Severus loved her, and he didn't quit his affections easily. He'd loved Harry's mum for over sixteen years. She assumed he was simply being cautious, letting her finish school unimpeded and that he was probably still under the watchful eyes of the school governors.
Professor McGonagall had posted the monthly prefect schedule in her office and was attending their meetings, relieving Hermione of her excuses to see Severus. She wondered if he'd arranged it that way or if her professor had. Severus still watched her, Hermione was certain of it. The occasional times when she'd caught him looking at her in the Great Hall, she thought that she'd seen him smile slightly and maybe even nod at her, but it was hard to tell from halfway across the Hall, the movement had been so slight. But she still felt a thrill each time they made eye contact, so Hermione hung to hope that she was right. He was waiting for her to finish school and be available for a real relationship, one she wanted to have with him so desperately.
She could feel his presence when she walked her patrols and on occasion while she revised in the library, and she could sense it when he was watching her during the last two Quidditch games. And Severus was frequently in the Great Hall when students were congregating there to revise with friends from different houses. He never stopped by her seat as he strolled along the tables, but she could sense his gaze upon her and knew that he watched her. A few times he'd even smiled at her, before admonishing a student for running or misbehaving.
As the month of May passed, and Severus still maintained his distance, she wondered if maybe he was simply avoiding her. Hermione didn't know if it had anything to do with the investigation anymore or if he was merely still giving her space. Surely the governors had given up by now? However, there were still whispers on occasion and speculative glances from the other students, so Hermione wasn't sure. At least Rita Skeeter had found something else to write about: Kingsley was planning on getting married to Hestia Jones, and the gossipmongers were all a twitter over the relationship that had apparently been going on secretly for over two years.
So, Hermione buried herself in her studies, rather than brood after Severus Snape and the relationship that was so ill timed.
Hermione knew that the bridges needed to be built between Slytherin and Gryffindor, and she wasn't above making an effort to be friendly. She'd developed a casual friendship with Richard Darthenridge and Rechelle Collins, and she'd exchanged hellos and the occasional pleasantry with Magnphelia Hageneder and James Foughtery. Given time there might even develop a real friendship between them, or if their paths crossed professionally, she knew that they would be able to work together amiably. And as the month came to a close, Rechelle and Richard were counted among those of Hermione's close friends, and Magnphelia had finally come around, even though James was still only being cordial. At least Hermione knew they were trying to accept her for herself, and not simply dismissing her because of her blood. It was a start.
Plus her example was starting to lead other students, mostly the younger years, to likewise make friends with those in Slytherin. Dennis Creevey had made friends with a boy in Slytherin, and Alice Blithe, a Gryffindor second-year, had become quite tight with a Slytherin girl. Brody, a sixth-year Gryffindor boy was dating a Denise, a sixth-year Slytherin girl, and she knew that William Prat, a sixth-year Ravenclaw, was seeing Eleanora Boulstridge, a Slytherin from his year. She sometimes saw Slytherin students mixing with students from other houses in various groups around the Great Hall doing revision together and it made her smile. It might take some time, and hopefully her example would carry on after she left, but she hoped that in the long run, House animosity would become a thing of the past. It was an optimistic of Hermione to hope for, but one she really wanted to happen.
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It had been five long months for Severus. Never had the time gone by so slowly. End of term, O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. exams were finally over, and the students were all spending the day in frivolous activities around the castle and grounds. There was even a game in progress in the Quidditch pitch, although from his vantage point he couldn't call it Quidditch since it looked like there were too many students flying on brooms, tossing the Quaffle around. Severus let out a long slow sigh. At the end of the week, the students would be leaving.
Severus strolled along the battlement, watching the students on the ground below. As he turned the corner, a lone student leaning against the battlement caught his attention. Hermione was staring out at the lake, apparently lost in thought. Severus stood back, watching her. She had the same sad, wistful expression he'd seen on the faces of countless seventh-years before. The one that read, 'For seven years this has been my home. I can't believe I'll never see this castle again.' He knew she was thinking about the good times, the adventures and difficulties, the friendships of her time here, and everything she went through while living within these walls. He hoped that most of her memories were good ones.
"Miss Granger," he said softly from behind her.
"Sev-Professor!" she exclaimed, jumping slightly and whirling around to face him. "I was just thinking…"
He realized he'd startled her from her thoughts. Her breathing was rapid, and he knew that her heart would be racing. "I did too, from this very spot, years ago," he said smoothly as he watched her compose herself.
Her gaze swept past him to the turrets and towers of the castle. "It just seems so sad that I'll never be coming back. That this is all over."
He smiled knowing exactly what she meant, what she was feeling, although if she'd allow it, she could find other reasons to return. "You will go on to do great things, Hermione. You'll make a real difference in the world," he said, remembering the advice Lucius had given him twenty years ago, only in regard to different things. He pushed the memory from his mind. He had been given a whole new life after the war, and that old one was behind him. "You never know what life will bring or what lies ahead of you…" What he wanted now was a new life, one with her in it. "Or who."iThere I said it./i He steeled himself for her reaction.iGood or bad, yes or no… it's up to her now./i
She tilted her head as if trying to figure out what he meant.
iBloody Gryffindors. Do I have to spell it out?/i "I had to let you finish your studies, let you focus on your N.E.W.T.s, and give the rumors about ius/i time to die down, but I still love you. Everything I said before, I still mean it. I am yours, Hermione, if you'll still have me—if you want me."
She rushed at him, throwing her arms around his neck, and he hugged her tightly, hoping that this was a yes.
"I thought that you'd changed your mind! That with everything—that you didn't want me anymore!" she said exuberantly in his ear and hugged him tighter.
He sighed, burying his face in her hair, wondering which deity he had to thank for this, and if he'd finally paid enough for his atonement. "Yes, I want you—Merlin, girl, how could you be so thick?" She pulled away from him to look at his face, but he captured her mouth in kiss. The world around him seemed to fade, the sounds of the students rising up from the grounds softened into silence, and even the sun on his black clad shoulders seemed less oppressive. She was in his arms, responding to him as if she loved him in return. At that very moment, nothing else mattered to Severus.
After what seemed an eternity, he pulled away to look at her. Her eyes remained closed for several heartbeats, her lips, now swollen and slightly puffy, were parted, and her breathing was deep, making her chest rise with each breath. When her eyes fluttered open, he read what he'd only dreamed he'd ever see reflected in those amber depths—love. "Hermione, I'm not a man who gives up easily," he brushed a curl from her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. "If you would be so inclined, I would like to court you—properly."
Hermione bit her lip, and then smiled as her face literally lit up with happiness. "I'd like that very much, Severus."
He pulled her to him, simply content to hold her. iMine. She will be mine. Hermione Jean Snape./iHe kissed the top of her head and looked out at the school grounds. Whatever happened next, whatever life had in store for him now, at this moment, he was truly happy.
~iFinite/i~
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iAuthor's Notes:
Thank you to everyone who read this and to those who left me a review. I'm glad you enjoyed my first attempt at a murder mystery. Hugs~ /i
