Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling and am not profiting by writing this story. No trademark infringement is implied nor intended. It is written for purely entertainment purposes.

A/N: Please send all comments to WiNyGo@hotmail.com or leave a review. I'd love to get some helpful suggestions. Thanks!

"Day by Day"

Part Three:

The Voice of Reason

May 2003

"Hello old man."

Severus looked up from his parchment covered desk into the playful eyes of Hermione Granger. He smiled and moved to give her a quick hug.

"Hello Hermione. How goes life with you?"

She shrugged and perched herself on one of the student desks. "Work keeps me busy. Perhaps a little too busy. But that's not really new."

"No not really." Severus gave her a mock glare and made a few comments about workaholics.

"Well if that isn't the pot calling the kettle black old man."

Severus shrugged as well and replied, "Old age doesn't necessarily mean wisdom my dear."

"Now you're sounding like the Headmaster, Severus."

"Merlin forbid. I would never have come up with the feather-brained idea that he has for today."

She smiled and decided to tease him. "Oh, you're not looking forward to the party Severus?"

Not for the first time in her life, or in their friendship, Hermione found herself on the receiving end of the Potions Master glare.

********

"Today, we celebrate!" Numerous cheers and applause followed Albus Dumbledore's introduction. "For the past eight years, the Wizarding World and Muggle alike has felt the wrath and destruction of Voldemort and his allies. We gather here today to celebrate his downfall and the restoration of peace to our world once more!"

A thunderous applause rose up after his words.

Raising both of his hands to quiet the crowd, Dumbledore continued his speech. "Looking around you, you should recognize most if not all of the people around you. It has long been a custom of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to hold Alumni reunions. With the threat of Voldemort in our midst, we have had to delay these meetings… but no more. So without further ado, I welcome back to Hogwarts, the graduating classes of 1995 through 2002! Now eat, enjoy, and be merry!"

Dumbledore stepped off the podium and worked his way into the crowd.

Towards the back of the group, Hermione and Severus stood nursing their drinks. Severus scoffed and commented that Dumbledore had always had the flair for the dramatic.

Hermione smirked and took a drink.

"Excuse me Professor… oh hello Hermione!"

"Hagrid! Oh how are you?" Hermione asked while giving Hagrid a hug. He responded in kind, almost crushing her in the process.

"Good good… it's wonderful to see you." Hagrid smiled and scratched his head. "Um… has either of you seen a small creature?"

Severus cocked an eyebrow. "Seeing as how I would classify many of the students assembled here as small creatures, you would have to elaborate Hagrid."

"Ah yes. A… Blast-Ended Skrewt wasn't in his cage when I checked 'em before. He's a 'armless fella but, if you see him, could you let me know?"

With a smile, Hagrid moved to find Dumbledore to inform him of the missing creature. Hermione laughed and turned to Severus. "It seems like nothing changes that much around here."

"I agree. Hagrid is as big an oaf as he was when you graduated."

"Severus," came the quiet warning.

********

Both the Potions Master and the Unspeakable were content to stand in the back of the crowd to survey the massed people assembled. Neither one had been what would be termed "social creatures," which was yet another trait they had in common; one of the many they shared in fact. About an hour after the reunion had commenced, Hermione and Severus were discussing another one of their common traits: significant others and lack thereof.

"Now what happened to that last fellow you were seeing? Jack? John?"

Hermione grimaced and curtly replied with, "Jacob." Severus noticed her discomfort on the subject and pursued it.

"Well what happened with him? I thought you said he was 'the one'?"

She turned to face Severus and said, "Well apparently 'the one' had more than one girlfriend. Five or six was the last number I heard of."

"Mmm. Indeed… sorry love."

She shook her head and took a drink. "It's all right honestly." Bringing her cup up to her lips, she said, "I've found someone new all ready."

Severus did a double take at the comment. "Hermione. You were dating Josh a week ago… how d-"

"Jacob. His name was Jacob. And I'm dating Harry now."

Hermione was afraid to look at her friend in fear of what he would say. When she got no comment or reaction from him at all, she chanced a glance in his direction…

To find him smirking at her.

Hermione sighed. "I know. But remember, the last time we dated we were 19 years old. Who knows anything at 19?"

Ignoring her question, Severus asked her, "Do you believe it will work?"

"What, Harry and I?"

"You're setting yourself up for heartbreak girl. You know this. It already happened once and it will happen again."

She held up a hand to silence any more comments from him. "Severus, could you just be my friend and not the voice of reason for once? I know this is probably wrong but… I need to be happy."

Hermione turned her pleading gaze to him. Severus sighed and reached over to kiss her temple. "Well then be happy love. And now, I believe that Mr. Potter is trying to get your attention."

Hermione looked across the crowd to find Harry frantically beckoning her to join him near Dumbledore.

She reached up and gave Severus a hug. "I'll come find you later Severus."

Severus took a drink as he watched her make her way through the crowd. "This is going to end up badly."