Chapter 12: In which the courtship starts
For Severus, the weekend was his opportunity to recuperate before he tackled his teaching duties. It was a brief period where he turned to his own interests and did whatever he wished to. Therefore, he always lamented of how time flew faster in the weekend than in the school week.
He spent most of it with Hermione, as they embarked on their new plane of relationship. He was undeniably tentative at first, afraid he would make all kinds of mistakes and plunge into all sorts of hidden pitfalls.
Sometimes, he wished matters were not complicated, that he did not have to deal with these unfamiliar conflicting feelings. When he was by himself, self-doubt returned. He would wonder that this was a fleeting image of what could happen but was only an illusion. He wondered if Hermione really considered that a stable relationship with him was what she wanted. Sometimes, he wished she had left him alone to retreat into his own solitary life, empty but uneventful.
Then when she was with him, he felt himself enveloped in such ecstasy that he chided himself for hoping otherwise.
The weekend surpassed his wildest dreams in the end. Hermione, patient and gentle, understood his uncertainty and fears. Their early stages were fragile, but bit by bit, she drew Severus out of his unexpected shyness. They spent the weekend conversing about their lives, getting to know each other anew. She reprimanded him for his silence. He compensated by telling her everything and was amazed he could still make her laugh, as he had on occasion in her last year as a student. The weekend did remind him of the times they had together when they were working toward the Dark Lord's defeat, with the exception of an intimate awareness on both their part without the awkwardness he had predicted.
If he doubted Hermione's sensibilities in the beginning, it was dispelled whenever he looked into her eyes and saw what he hereto only believed he could find in fantasy.
During the evenings after dinner, they returned to his rooms and huddled in his armchair. Hermione sat on his lap whilst he read to her from books ranging from literature to Arithmancy, relishing her proximity. However, he refused to read Hogwarts: A History. That first evening, Hermione was exhausted and gradually dozed off. Her head rested on his shoulder and she snuggled into his embrace, sighing in satisfaction as though it were the safest haven for her.
The warmth which washed over him was indescribable. Severus carefully put the book aside. Not rousing her to wakefulness, he arranged their positions so they would be more comfortable. He studied her at her most unguarded, surrounded by her scent. It was perfect. He leant against her and fell asleep.
In the morning, he woke to see Hermione already awake. Her hair was adorably dishevelled and she was smiling at him.
To Severus, it was nothing short of a miracle. It took his breath to know someone could love him.
After his first weekend with Hermione, Severus was more inclined towards his assessment that Time was wont to keep him joyous and decided to shorten the weekend even more.
Monday found him walking with Hermione to the outskirts of the Hogwarts grounds, as she headed for her apartment, holding hands. It was Hermione who initiated the latter again and Severus derived comfort from it.
When they reached the gates, Hermione turned to him and giggled. 'Severus. You look like you're not going to see me for years.'
'The last time you left Hogwarts was two years ago,' Severus agreed.
'Silly. I'll visit more often. And you can always come see me if you want to.'
'Will I disturb you and disrupt your work?'
Hermione frowned in thought and Severus tensed.
'I'll take you as a very welcome distraction.' Hermione laughed irrepressibly at his expression and hugged him.
Severus buried his face in her hair. She was still shaking with mirth. 'You are heartless,' he murmured.
'I should hope not.'
They kissed and held each other for some time until Severus reluctantly let Hermione go. 'It's late. You should have some rest before you start work again.'
'I'll look after myself. You look after yourself. I expect to see you less strained than you were during the past week.'
Severus stared at her and once more, memorised every detail of her features. It struck him forcibly that he could have the ability to love her beyond life itself. He trusted her unconditionally. Some obscure, cynical part of him questioned the wisdom of it. It was curious though, that most of him did not care.
Hermione kept her promise by visiting Severus regularly. She continued writing her letters too, for Severus deemed them precious and what started the whole thing in the first place.
His visits to her were rare, since it was more difficult when his working hours were inflexible. Besides, the staff teased him relentlessly each time he came back. Minerva had the boldness to ask whether they had gone beyond kissing and holding hands yet, and he declined to comment vehemently. Much to his despair, it served to encourage the staff to insinuate more and throw amused looks at him. Madam Hooch said she did not know he had it in him. Madam Pomfrey said fondly that she had known Severus since he was a student and was pleased he finally amounted to someone. Albus was not helping to curb the remarks either.
Still, Severus had no qualms of loving Hermione and a flurry of letters was exchanged under the unconcealed, watchful but kindly eyes of friends.
[Dear Severus,
Do you remember the notes Harry took from my apartment so long ago? I've perused them and have concluded I've started from the wrong angle.
I've changed my approach and am on my way to finding a cure for Imperio.
Wish me luck.
Love, Hermione. P.S. It feels wonderful to write your name instead of a distant 'Professor Snape'.]
[Dear Hermione,
May your work proceed smoothly. I know you will succeed with your zeal and intelligence.
The students are still dunderheads. You can't change my opinion of most of them. Fortunately, the Weasleys are as terribly transparent as ever, so I can expose their tricks easily, much to their chagrin.
Albus tells me to ease the punishment. So I send them to scrub the dungeon walls and floors instead of drowning them in the lake and leave them to be eaten by the squid.
Severus.
P.S. Yes, it's wonderful.]
[Dear Severus,
You don't change, do you? There's nothing bad in it. I'll just continue appealing to you to treat students nicer and you'll tell me dryly that it's not in your nature.
I won't want you to change.
I'm bubbling with anticipation, because I've solved my Ministry project! At least, theoretically. I have some experiments to do before I can be sure. But I have a strong feeling it's correct. It's exhilarating.
Love, Hermione.]
[Dear Miss Granger,
Severus' told us all about your development of a cure for Imperio. Needless to say how pleased and proud he is of you. The Daily Prophet has also published the news. The wizarding world will thank you for it. No doubt this will be one of the many congratulatory notes.
Hogwarts has recently started a weekly newsletter. Being one of the alumni, we hope you'll grace us with an interview. Severus has insisted on conducting the interview because he doesn't think a student will do the interview justice and ask the right questions. We have calmed him down considerably after Professor McGonagall had ah, hinted the interview will last suspiciously long were he to have his way, possibly dragging into the night.
So we have asked one of the prefects, Alice Cooper, to do it. Will it suit you?
Yours truly,
Albus Dumbledore.]
[Dear Hermione,
No doubt you heard from Albus. I swear Minerva gets more and more impertinent as she grows older.
Will you be coming then? Or are you too busy?
Severus.]
[Dear Severus,
Don't prickle, love. I will come. Maybe we can go to Hogsmeade if you can spare the time.
Love, Hermione.]
Several months passed hence in a whirl of activity. The school term came to an end and Severus was handing out holiday assignments when he saw Hermione wave at him outside the classroom. He gestured for her to wait.
After the class left hurriedly, Hermione entered.
'How was the interview?'
'The usual kind. I've had a number of interviewers before this. Thank goodness Rita Skeeter was not one of them.'
'Hmm.'
Hermione stood beside him. 'What are your plans for the winter?'
Severus shrugged. 'I don't celebrate the season.'
'Would you like to join me in London? You've not experienced Muggle life much. You might enjoy it. There's the theatre and museum and library and all the boring places for us to explore.'
Severus smiled and took her hand, 'Anywhere with you.'
Hermione squeezed his hand and said tenderly, 'Good. I love you Severus. I want you to remember that always.'
'As I do you Hermione.'
'So you'll spend the holidays with me?'
'I accept.'
'Great. Come on, we have to buy some Muggle clothes for you.'
Severus stirred in surprise, and then groaned.
Hermione was sly.
Author's questions:
What's a Mary Sue? I've seen the term loads of times but never bothered to ask. Somewhere in my life I must have missed it and the knowledge of how it originated.
Can anyone explain to me about document manager? I use italics in some phrases when I type in Microsoft Word but they come out all straight and vertical and very dull when I upload it to Document Manager in fanfiction.net. Sigh. I'm no computer expert.
For Severus, the weekend was his opportunity to recuperate before he tackled his teaching duties. It was a brief period where he turned to his own interests and did whatever he wished to. Therefore, he always lamented of how time flew faster in the weekend than in the school week.
He spent most of it with Hermione, as they embarked on their new plane of relationship. He was undeniably tentative at first, afraid he would make all kinds of mistakes and plunge into all sorts of hidden pitfalls.
Sometimes, he wished matters were not complicated, that he did not have to deal with these unfamiliar conflicting feelings. When he was by himself, self-doubt returned. He would wonder that this was a fleeting image of what could happen but was only an illusion. He wondered if Hermione really considered that a stable relationship with him was what she wanted. Sometimes, he wished she had left him alone to retreat into his own solitary life, empty but uneventful.
Then when she was with him, he felt himself enveloped in such ecstasy that he chided himself for hoping otherwise.
The weekend surpassed his wildest dreams in the end. Hermione, patient and gentle, understood his uncertainty and fears. Their early stages were fragile, but bit by bit, she drew Severus out of his unexpected shyness. They spent the weekend conversing about their lives, getting to know each other anew. She reprimanded him for his silence. He compensated by telling her everything and was amazed he could still make her laugh, as he had on occasion in her last year as a student. The weekend did remind him of the times they had together when they were working toward the Dark Lord's defeat, with the exception of an intimate awareness on both their part without the awkwardness he had predicted.
If he doubted Hermione's sensibilities in the beginning, it was dispelled whenever he looked into her eyes and saw what he hereto only believed he could find in fantasy.
During the evenings after dinner, they returned to his rooms and huddled in his armchair. Hermione sat on his lap whilst he read to her from books ranging from literature to Arithmancy, relishing her proximity. However, he refused to read Hogwarts: A History. That first evening, Hermione was exhausted and gradually dozed off. Her head rested on his shoulder and she snuggled into his embrace, sighing in satisfaction as though it were the safest haven for her.
The warmth which washed over him was indescribable. Severus carefully put the book aside. Not rousing her to wakefulness, he arranged their positions so they would be more comfortable. He studied her at her most unguarded, surrounded by her scent. It was perfect. He leant against her and fell asleep.
In the morning, he woke to see Hermione already awake. Her hair was adorably dishevelled and she was smiling at him.
To Severus, it was nothing short of a miracle. It took his breath to know someone could love him.
After his first weekend with Hermione, Severus was more inclined towards his assessment that Time was wont to keep him joyous and decided to shorten the weekend even more.
Monday found him walking with Hermione to the outskirts of the Hogwarts grounds, as she headed for her apartment, holding hands. It was Hermione who initiated the latter again and Severus derived comfort from it.
When they reached the gates, Hermione turned to him and giggled. 'Severus. You look like you're not going to see me for years.'
'The last time you left Hogwarts was two years ago,' Severus agreed.
'Silly. I'll visit more often. And you can always come see me if you want to.'
'Will I disturb you and disrupt your work?'
Hermione frowned in thought and Severus tensed.
'I'll take you as a very welcome distraction.' Hermione laughed irrepressibly at his expression and hugged him.
Severus buried his face in her hair. She was still shaking with mirth. 'You are heartless,' he murmured.
'I should hope not.'
They kissed and held each other for some time until Severus reluctantly let Hermione go. 'It's late. You should have some rest before you start work again.'
'I'll look after myself. You look after yourself. I expect to see you less strained than you were during the past week.'
Severus stared at her and once more, memorised every detail of her features. It struck him forcibly that he could have the ability to love her beyond life itself. He trusted her unconditionally. Some obscure, cynical part of him questioned the wisdom of it. It was curious though, that most of him did not care.
Hermione kept her promise by visiting Severus regularly. She continued writing her letters too, for Severus deemed them precious and what started the whole thing in the first place.
His visits to her were rare, since it was more difficult when his working hours were inflexible. Besides, the staff teased him relentlessly each time he came back. Minerva had the boldness to ask whether they had gone beyond kissing and holding hands yet, and he declined to comment vehemently. Much to his despair, it served to encourage the staff to insinuate more and throw amused looks at him. Madam Hooch said she did not know he had it in him. Madam Pomfrey said fondly that she had known Severus since he was a student and was pleased he finally amounted to someone. Albus was not helping to curb the remarks either.
Still, Severus had no qualms of loving Hermione and a flurry of letters was exchanged under the unconcealed, watchful but kindly eyes of friends.
[Dear Severus,
Do you remember the notes Harry took from my apartment so long ago? I've perused them and have concluded I've started from the wrong angle.
I've changed my approach and am on my way to finding a cure for Imperio.
Wish me luck.
Love, Hermione. P.S. It feels wonderful to write your name instead of a distant 'Professor Snape'.]
[Dear Hermione,
May your work proceed smoothly. I know you will succeed with your zeal and intelligence.
The students are still dunderheads. You can't change my opinion of most of them. Fortunately, the Weasleys are as terribly transparent as ever, so I can expose their tricks easily, much to their chagrin.
Albus tells me to ease the punishment. So I send them to scrub the dungeon walls and floors instead of drowning them in the lake and leave them to be eaten by the squid.
Severus.
P.S. Yes, it's wonderful.]
[Dear Severus,
You don't change, do you? There's nothing bad in it. I'll just continue appealing to you to treat students nicer and you'll tell me dryly that it's not in your nature.
I won't want you to change.
I'm bubbling with anticipation, because I've solved my Ministry project! At least, theoretically. I have some experiments to do before I can be sure. But I have a strong feeling it's correct. It's exhilarating.
Love, Hermione.]
[Dear Miss Granger,
Severus' told us all about your development of a cure for Imperio. Needless to say how pleased and proud he is of you. The Daily Prophet has also published the news. The wizarding world will thank you for it. No doubt this will be one of the many congratulatory notes.
Hogwarts has recently started a weekly newsletter. Being one of the alumni, we hope you'll grace us with an interview. Severus has insisted on conducting the interview because he doesn't think a student will do the interview justice and ask the right questions. We have calmed him down considerably after Professor McGonagall had ah, hinted the interview will last suspiciously long were he to have his way, possibly dragging into the night.
So we have asked one of the prefects, Alice Cooper, to do it. Will it suit you?
Yours truly,
Albus Dumbledore.]
[Dear Hermione,
No doubt you heard from Albus. I swear Minerva gets more and more impertinent as she grows older.
Will you be coming then? Or are you too busy?
Severus.]
[Dear Severus,
Don't prickle, love. I will come. Maybe we can go to Hogsmeade if you can spare the time.
Love, Hermione.]
Several months passed hence in a whirl of activity. The school term came to an end and Severus was handing out holiday assignments when he saw Hermione wave at him outside the classroom. He gestured for her to wait.
After the class left hurriedly, Hermione entered.
'How was the interview?'
'The usual kind. I've had a number of interviewers before this. Thank goodness Rita Skeeter was not one of them.'
'Hmm.'
Hermione stood beside him. 'What are your plans for the winter?'
Severus shrugged. 'I don't celebrate the season.'
'Would you like to join me in London? You've not experienced Muggle life much. You might enjoy it. There's the theatre and museum and library and all the boring places for us to explore.'
Severus smiled and took her hand, 'Anywhere with you.'
Hermione squeezed his hand and said tenderly, 'Good. I love you Severus. I want you to remember that always.'
'As I do you Hermione.'
'So you'll spend the holidays with me?'
'I accept.'
'Great. Come on, we have to buy some Muggle clothes for you.'
Severus stirred in surprise, and then groaned.
Hermione was sly.
Author's questions:
What's a Mary Sue? I've seen the term loads of times but never bothered to ask. Somewhere in my life I must have missed it and the knowledge of how it originated.
Can anyone explain to me about document manager? I use italics in some phrases when I type in Microsoft Word but they come out all straight and vertical and very dull when I upload it to Document Manager in fanfiction.net. Sigh. I'm no computer expert.