Ok, here it finally is. After this, Stepping Over Lines is COMPLETE! Yay! My first complete fic! Some of you were asking about why Ron was SO upset about Hermione and Snape…you find out in here.
Disclaimer: Still own nothing…..except a complete and utter joy that OotP is FINALLY coming out!
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Dear Severus,
I realize I probably should have gotten in touch with you by now, after all that has happened, but I have to admit I was being a coward. I didn't know how to tell you something. I couldn't possibly do it in a letter, so if you could please meet me at the Three Broomsticks at one o'clock on Sunday, October 17, I would love it. I hope you can take the time out of your busy scedule, because it's rather important. Thank you,
Hermione M. Granger
What is this, what is this? Hmmm…well, he'd better go find out.
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Hermione waved him over when he entered. Severus eyed her as he slid into the booth. Despite still getting over her pregnancy, she looked very good. Her slim figure was back (from what he could tell in her robes), and her brown eyes were vibrant with energy. They now looked at him with a nervousness he could not understand. Maybe since this was the first time since that day in the hospital, and she didn't know what to say?
"I don't really know how to say this," she started after their greetings, and he found that yes, she did know what to say, just not how to say it. he listened attentively, seeing how hard this was for her. What was so bloody important?
"Er, you know how we, er….last year. Well, I realized that, after the…ordeal I went through, and the fact that you work at Hogwarts, and our…age difference…I don't think it would really work for us to continue seeing each other." She shifted uncomfortably and looked down into her butterbeer.
"Yes, I think I had realized that as well. I was just kind of…in denial, if you understand me." He saw her tension ease, and, even though this was much harder than he thought it would be, even though they were in agreement, he found this rewarding. She had obviously dreaded "breaking up" with him. But, considering the circumstances, as she had said, he really couldn't see any other option.
Hermione took a deep breath. Those reasons she'd stated weren't the only reasons she couldn't be with Severus anymore. "Also, er, well, Ron and I have sort of…hit it off all of a sudden, if you know what I mean, so, well, I just wanted to come clean with you, so you wouldn't be mad if you found out through the grapevine or something."
Severus was mildly surprised, if only because he had thought Hermione had no feelings for her firey-haired friend. He knew, of course, that the Weasley boy had had a crush on Hermione for…ages, really, but had thought it nothing more than unrequited "love." He tried out his indignance level, but obviously Hermione was very happy with this change in her social life, and he couldn't help but smile at her. She really deserved better than him. Though he would never consider a Weasley "better" than him, they were more adept to love in the way Hermione needed to be loved.
He realized she was waiting for his reaction, but when he opened his mouth, she hurriedly said, "I know you don't really like Ron, but he's a sweet guy, for all his short temper and other…shortcomings. I wanted you to know that you're really a great man, and I liked being with you, even when we weren't…when we were just talking, because you really took me seriously and we had lots of great conversations and everything. And I-"
"Hermione…Hermione! Hermione!" He stopped her ramblings with a quick touch on her hand. She looked embarrassed. "I know how much Weasley likes you, he has for years, and I wish you the best happiness in the world." And with a quick kiss on her cheek and a smile, he got up and walked out of the pub, back to Hogwarts. Hermione watched him go with a sad smile on her lips, then Disapparated back to her flat and Ron.
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Ok, I know, sad ending for those of you who wanted Hermi and Sevy together (and I've gotten many, many reviews saying that) but really, think about it rationally. It would never work, not with Snape working at Hogwarts (JKR said most teachers don't have spouses, for good reason), and their age difference…all the reasons Hermi listed. So, please review! I will ignore flames! Though I don't see why you would flame this chappy….but some people are just nuts.