Chapter 11: In which Severus and Hermione face each other
When Severus returned to Hogwarts after overseeing Draco's welfare at St. Mungo's, Potter, Weasley and Dumbldore were waiting in the staff room.
After an exchange of news and development, where he learnt that all the researchers were found safe and sound, he walked back to his rooms in deep meditation, relieved yet bone weary now the rescue was accomplished.
'Ahem.'
Severus started. He had forgotten about Hermione's presence. Well, not really, he had known that she was with him. It simply felt so natural he did not register the fact properly. She was standing very close to him. Actually, they were holding hands.
No wonder the people at St. Mungo's had looked fit to faint. No wonder Weasley had looked murderous, Potter had tried to look innocent and Albus had held back bouts of laughter.
It must have been Hermione who had signalled to them not to prompt him about his odd conduct.
Damn it if this was not embarrassing.
He let go of her hand and immediately regretted it. The comforting warmth that had spread across his palm and washed over his heart was slapped with the chill of the air. He dredged up the feeling when she was in his arms and yearned for her.
'I'm sorry.'
Hermione smiled sincerely, 'Don't be.'
'Why didn't you tell me?'
'You didn't seem to mind and I liked it.'
'Oh.' Severus was robbed of speech momentarily.
Hermione's eyes bored into his. What she ostensibly saw made her smile more radiantly. He stopped himself from squirming.
'I trust you are fine,' was his careful enquiry.
'Yes. You should have some rest. You look tired.'
'Is that the way you greet your professor the first time we meet?'
Hermione rolled her eyes. 'Stop widening the gap. It won't work. You are not my professor. You are my contemporary and I shall treat you as such. You don't know how to take care of yourself Severus Snape.' She headed out but paused and turned back, 'Have some sleep, won't you? Then maybe we can finally have that belated picnic we didn't have during the war.'
He nodded and watched the door shut behind her.
Hermione did not mention about her invitation during dinner when she had it in Hogwarts and Severus did not remind her of it. He thought that she had snapped out of her lightheaded state after the rescue and was horrified of what she had done. Yet her letters that remained in his possession consistently triggered in him hope that things were not as he feared.
Severus was obliged to shelve his personal matters as he spent the next few days helping Draco.
It was obvious that Draco was locked in his mind. The healers carried out several tests and their diagnosis was the same. Draco's mind had reverted to that of an infant. Severus knew this meant he would be spared the imprisonment of Azkaban. With his wand destroyed and his faculties stripped of sanity, Draco was incapacitated.
Through Albus' connections, he arranged that Draco be looked after in the hospital for the rest of his life.
When Severus visited him in his ward, he was informed he was the only visitor. He knew it did not matter to Draco, the boy could not distinguish one from another. It hurt him nonetheless, to see the boy he had watched grow up to become nothing but a figure sprouting gibberish.
Life was merciless. A boy had fallen, but the world went on spinning on its axis, and people moved on. Severus eventually did. The shadow cast on the past few days lifted when he noted that Draco, whilst lost to them, appeared free because of it.
The picnic held helped tremendously.
Hermione had not forgotten after all. She had been busy herself together with the researchers to pick up the pieces in the Ministry but she had not forgotten.
Severus found himself during the weekend plopped onto the green grounds of Hogwarts while the students left for their Hogsmeade trip, relaxed and grateful most of his students were not present to see him in the company of the famous Trio.
Potter greeted him cheerfully and waved to him a bottle of authentic French wine. While Weasley decided to avoid him, Potter took pains to make sure he was at ease. Much to Severus' surprise, he was.
The picnic had been provided by the House-Elves, who apparently did not know how much, or how little, food four people could stomach. Potter called in the entire Hogwarts staff to finish it, including Filch, albeit reluctantly.
After a huge portion of the picnic was consumed, Severus sat with his legs stretched out in front of him and leant against a tree. He was content to watch Potter hone tactics with Flitwick and Albus compose music on the spot. Hagrid was playing from his recently carved flute. Weasley surreptitiously lured Mrs. Norris back to the castle using a sugar mouse, so Filch had no choice but to search for her. Hooch was swooping about on her broomstick. The staff declared they deserved this holiday of sorts and were determined to enjoy it to the maximum.
The air was heavy with the encroaching summer scent of fruits and flowers, causing Severus to feel drowsy.
He was roused to attention when a cold plate was pressed into his hands. He opened his eyes to see Hermione settle near him. He looked at the plate of ice cream on waffles.
'You didn't eat very much just now. The House-Elves brought in the dessert.'
'Thank you,' Severus picked up the fork and methodically worked his way through as Hermione complained.
'I can't get them to wear clothes.'
Severus nearly swallowed his waffle down his windpipe instead of his oesophagus, 'Are you still at it?'
Hermione shrugged, 'I might as well do it while I'm here.'
'Yes, well.' Severus wondered if she knew the clothes she left around would be collected by Dobby as in her fifth year. 'You should be aware you continue to no avail.'
'One can but try.' Hermione conjured a fork and ate her own ice cream.
'How's the Ministry?'
'Fine. We're back in business. Professor McGonagall invited Ron and me to stay at Hogwarts for the weekend. Too bad Harry's married.'
'Welcome then.'
'Yes, well. It means I can get my letters back from you.'
This time she succeeded in making Severus choke.
Severus' face went red with effort and guilt. He took his time coughing into his handkerchief that he drew out from his pocket. *Think, damn it, how to handle this?*
'You didn't think I'll find them missing when I went home, did you?'
'I was thinking of how to... return them to you. Do you wish to have them back now?'
Hermione looked around and saw that everyone was occupied. She took in a deep breath, 'All right.'
Severus led the way, bemoaning and asking the heavens how he got himself into this sticky mess that was called love.
When he handed the letters and her spare wand, which was also with him, he averted his eyes from hers. He could not bear to see her raised eyebrows and mocking gaze when she saw he had kept the letters in a box similar to hers. What must she be thinking?
'Thanks.' He heard her say softly.
Severus kept his head low and shrugged, to all appearances unabashed, 'My fault actually.' He refused to explain his actions, or apologise in the strict sense. *Don't ask me if I read them. Don't tell me how I feel. I can't.*
Hermione did neither of those. She left his rooms and he was alone, forlorn.
Severus sighed. He should have predicted the delight he had experienced during the picnic would be neutralised by a downpour of gloom. It was not normal for him to be happy. He cursed himself for being inept at confessing to her. He sank into his armchair and stood up again when he felt the winds change in speed. An owl flew into his room. Severus blinked his eyes in amazement. He recognised the bird to belong to Hermione.
The small bundle of papers the owl held in its beak was undoubtedly those he had just parted with. It was dropped his hands and the owl flew off with a hoot.
There was a smaller piece of paper on top of the whole pile. With trembling fingers, Severus removed it.
[Severus,
Harry told me. I guess there's no pretending now.
These letters are meant for you. I just needed to send them to you the correct way. I also needed to prepare myself.
How I hope I did not misinterpret your actions and your eyes.
I don't know what you're thinking of me right now, but I'm not ashamed of what I feel. I love you. Seeing you again only strengthened my belief.
I'm at the guest quarters. I thought you need time to consider if you feel the same way.
One can but try.
Hermione.]
Severus read the message repeatedly, the words forming in his mouth. Grasping the precious papers, he broke into a run and did not stop for breath until he reached the entrance to the guestrooms.
'Sic itur ad astra' he uttered the general password.
The door opened and he rushed in, facing Hermione who was looking pale.
He said hoarsely, 'Yes, let's try. Please, let's try.'
The sight of Hermione rapturous as he embraced her tightly would stay in his memory forever.
~***~
Author's Note:
'Sic itur ad astra': Latin for 'Such is the way to the stars'.
coolcat411: You're right. Shoot. (slaps forehead)
When Severus returned to Hogwarts after overseeing Draco's welfare at St. Mungo's, Potter, Weasley and Dumbldore were waiting in the staff room.
After an exchange of news and development, where he learnt that all the researchers were found safe and sound, he walked back to his rooms in deep meditation, relieved yet bone weary now the rescue was accomplished.
'Ahem.'
Severus started. He had forgotten about Hermione's presence. Well, not really, he had known that she was with him. It simply felt so natural he did not register the fact properly. She was standing very close to him. Actually, they were holding hands.
No wonder the people at St. Mungo's had looked fit to faint. No wonder Weasley had looked murderous, Potter had tried to look innocent and Albus had held back bouts of laughter.
It must have been Hermione who had signalled to them not to prompt him about his odd conduct.
Damn it if this was not embarrassing.
He let go of her hand and immediately regretted it. The comforting warmth that had spread across his palm and washed over his heart was slapped with the chill of the air. He dredged up the feeling when she was in his arms and yearned for her.
'I'm sorry.'
Hermione smiled sincerely, 'Don't be.'
'Why didn't you tell me?'
'You didn't seem to mind and I liked it.'
'Oh.' Severus was robbed of speech momentarily.
Hermione's eyes bored into his. What she ostensibly saw made her smile more radiantly. He stopped himself from squirming.
'I trust you are fine,' was his careful enquiry.
'Yes. You should have some rest. You look tired.'
'Is that the way you greet your professor the first time we meet?'
Hermione rolled her eyes. 'Stop widening the gap. It won't work. You are not my professor. You are my contemporary and I shall treat you as such. You don't know how to take care of yourself Severus Snape.' She headed out but paused and turned back, 'Have some sleep, won't you? Then maybe we can finally have that belated picnic we didn't have during the war.'
He nodded and watched the door shut behind her.
Hermione did not mention about her invitation during dinner when she had it in Hogwarts and Severus did not remind her of it. He thought that she had snapped out of her lightheaded state after the rescue and was horrified of what she had done. Yet her letters that remained in his possession consistently triggered in him hope that things were not as he feared.
Severus was obliged to shelve his personal matters as he spent the next few days helping Draco.
It was obvious that Draco was locked in his mind. The healers carried out several tests and their diagnosis was the same. Draco's mind had reverted to that of an infant. Severus knew this meant he would be spared the imprisonment of Azkaban. With his wand destroyed and his faculties stripped of sanity, Draco was incapacitated.
Through Albus' connections, he arranged that Draco be looked after in the hospital for the rest of his life.
When Severus visited him in his ward, he was informed he was the only visitor. He knew it did not matter to Draco, the boy could not distinguish one from another. It hurt him nonetheless, to see the boy he had watched grow up to become nothing but a figure sprouting gibberish.
Life was merciless. A boy had fallen, but the world went on spinning on its axis, and people moved on. Severus eventually did. The shadow cast on the past few days lifted when he noted that Draco, whilst lost to them, appeared free because of it.
The picnic held helped tremendously.
Hermione had not forgotten after all. She had been busy herself together with the researchers to pick up the pieces in the Ministry but she had not forgotten.
Severus found himself during the weekend plopped onto the green grounds of Hogwarts while the students left for their Hogsmeade trip, relaxed and grateful most of his students were not present to see him in the company of the famous Trio.
Potter greeted him cheerfully and waved to him a bottle of authentic French wine. While Weasley decided to avoid him, Potter took pains to make sure he was at ease. Much to Severus' surprise, he was.
The picnic had been provided by the House-Elves, who apparently did not know how much, or how little, food four people could stomach. Potter called in the entire Hogwarts staff to finish it, including Filch, albeit reluctantly.
After a huge portion of the picnic was consumed, Severus sat with his legs stretched out in front of him and leant against a tree. He was content to watch Potter hone tactics with Flitwick and Albus compose music on the spot. Hagrid was playing from his recently carved flute. Weasley surreptitiously lured Mrs. Norris back to the castle using a sugar mouse, so Filch had no choice but to search for her. Hooch was swooping about on her broomstick. The staff declared they deserved this holiday of sorts and were determined to enjoy it to the maximum.
The air was heavy with the encroaching summer scent of fruits and flowers, causing Severus to feel drowsy.
He was roused to attention when a cold plate was pressed into his hands. He opened his eyes to see Hermione settle near him. He looked at the plate of ice cream on waffles.
'You didn't eat very much just now. The House-Elves brought in the dessert.'
'Thank you,' Severus picked up the fork and methodically worked his way through as Hermione complained.
'I can't get them to wear clothes.'
Severus nearly swallowed his waffle down his windpipe instead of his oesophagus, 'Are you still at it?'
Hermione shrugged, 'I might as well do it while I'm here.'
'Yes, well.' Severus wondered if she knew the clothes she left around would be collected by Dobby as in her fifth year. 'You should be aware you continue to no avail.'
'One can but try.' Hermione conjured a fork and ate her own ice cream.
'How's the Ministry?'
'Fine. We're back in business. Professor McGonagall invited Ron and me to stay at Hogwarts for the weekend. Too bad Harry's married.'
'Welcome then.'
'Yes, well. It means I can get my letters back from you.'
This time she succeeded in making Severus choke.
Severus' face went red with effort and guilt. He took his time coughing into his handkerchief that he drew out from his pocket. *Think, damn it, how to handle this?*
'You didn't think I'll find them missing when I went home, did you?'
'I was thinking of how to... return them to you. Do you wish to have them back now?'
Hermione looked around and saw that everyone was occupied. She took in a deep breath, 'All right.'
Severus led the way, bemoaning and asking the heavens how he got himself into this sticky mess that was called love.
When he handed the letters and her spare wand, which was also with him, he averted his eyes from hers. He could not bear to see her raised eyebrows and mocking gaze when she saw he had kept the letters in a box similar to hers. What must she be thinking?
'Thanks.' He heard her say softly.
Severus kept his head low and shrugged, to all appearances unabashed, 'My fault actually.' He refused to explain his actions, or apologise in the strict sense. *Don't ask me if I read them. Don't tell me how I feel. I can't.*
Hermione did neither of those. She left his rooms and he was alone, forlorn.
Severus sighed. He should have predicted the delight he had experienced during the picnic would be neutralised by a downpour of gloom. It was not normal for him to be happy. He cursed himself for being inept at confessing to her. He sank into his armchair and stood up again when he felt the winds change in speed. An owl flew into his room. Severus blinked his eyes in amazement. He recognised the bird to belong to Hermione.
The small bundle of papers the owl held in its beak was undoubtedly those he had just parted with. It was dropped his hands and the owl flew off with a hoot.
There was a smaller piece of paper on top of the whole pile. With trembling fingers, Severus removed it.
[Severus,
Harry told me. I guess there's no pretending now.
These letters are meant for you. I just needed to send them to you the correct way. I also needed to prepare myself.
How I hope I did not misinterpret your actions and your eyes.
I don't know what you're thinking of me right now, but I'm not ashamed of what I feel. I love you. Seeing you again only strengthened my belief.
I'm at the guest quarters. I thought you need time to consider if you feel the same way.
One can but try.
Hermione.]
Severus read the message repeatedly, the words forming in his mouth. Grasping the precious papers, he broke into a run and did not stop for breath until he reached the entrance to the guestrooms.
'Sic itur ad astra' he uttered the general password.
The door opened and he rushed in, facing Hermione who was looking pale.
He said hoarsely, 'Yes, let's try. Please, let's try.'
The sight of Hermione rapturous as he embraced her tightly would stay in his memory forever.
~***~
Author's Note:
'Sic itur ad astra': Latin for 'Such is the way to the stars'.
coolcat411: You're right. Shoot. (slaps forehead)