Chapter 5
"Why must you go?"
"I start at the ministry today. You know that."
"I know. I just want you to stay."
"I'll have a holiday soon enough. Besides, I'll be able to spend weekends here."
"Every weekend?"
"Er . . . "
"Every other weekend?"
"Maybe, at least one weekend a month, I swear."
Hermione looked at her fiancee teary-eyed, "Okay."
"Don't look at me like that. I can't bear to see you cry. Hey," Ron pulled her chin up so their eyes met, "the year will fly by before you know it."
"Snape's wife is always here with him," she pouted.
"Snape's wife hasn't a real job. The only thing she's good for is changing her hair."
"She is a film maker you know. She's actually quite famous in the muggle world."
"She'd be the last person on earth I'd figure Snape to marry. Truthfully, I wouldn't expect that bastard to marry anyone."
"Yes, well, to each their own I guess. Maybe there truly is someone for everyone." Hermione gave a look like she was gagging.
Ron wrapped his cloak around his shoulders. "It's time for me to go."
Hermione sulked over to him. She wrapped her arms tightly around him and let out a sob. He held her close then released her just enough to kiss her good-bye. Without a word he walked over to the fireplace and vanished with a crash. Hermione wiped her eyes and gathered up a couple of books. She stepped out of her quarters and headed toward the potion's classroom. She walked into the room; she stopped dead in her tracks. Snape and his wife were making out on a table in the front of the room. She cleared her throat loudly. The Snapes scrambled to their feet: Severus removing his hand from under Bevana's shirt, she removing her hand from down the front of his pants.
"Sorry, Sorry," Bevana headed toward the door, "we're just celebrating my new tattoo."
She paused next to Hermione exposing her hip which had a snake forming a heart with the words:
Sev
&
Bev
forever
baby
"Just got it today," she smiled, "see you later sexy. Love you!" She blew a kiss at Snape who waved in her direction.
Hermione looked absolutely disgusted. She hurried to the front of the room and set her things down. She quickly flipped through a few pages of notes, careful not to look at him.
"Um, sorry about that, we -"
She couldn't hold it in. "What is it about her exactly? I don't get it. By your standards she would be someone you hate. Why is she so special?"
"She is pureblood you know."
"She doesn't act it, does she? She rejected the wizarding world. Why would you want someone like that?"
"Why are you asking?"
"I want to know, honestly, why?"
Snape looked at her bewildered. Why did this matter to her?
"Tell me Severus, how did it happen. Come on, I'll start it for you. To years ago . . . "
"I'm really not up to this."
"Tell me! You owed it to me then; you owe it to me now!"
He'd never seen Hermione act this way. Why was she doing this? Better not to argue with her now.
"Two years ago I ventured down Diagon Alley one weekend in April to pick up a few things for class. She was in the shop ---"
"What was she doing there? She doesn't do magic!"
"As a matter of fact she is very good at - er, certain charms and potions. Do you want to hear this or not?"
Hermione nodded violently.
"I saw her there picking up ingredients for various potions. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. When she spoke, I noticed she had an American accent. I was intrigued, so I watched her. She had an air about her. She didn't give a damn about what anyone thought and she seemed to look down her nose at everyone ---"
"Sounds familiar . . . "
He gave her a daring look. She shut up. "Soon she turned to leave and I was right in her way. She looked at me and said, 'Do you believe in fate?' Of course I said no, unphased she said, 'Good, let's go have coffee ---'"
"Coffee?!?!?!"
"She is American you know. No more interruptions. So we headed to a little café, where I drank coffee with her. She explained who she was and what she did, and for some reason, it didn't matter to me. She had me right then and there. It was love at first sight, for both of us."
Hermione snorted.
"Next thing I knew we were inseparable. She broke up with her rock star boyfriend in America and moved here permanently."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "honestly, love at first sight. I never took you for such a fool."
"That's because you've never been in love."
"Don't you DARE!" Hermione exploded. "As a matter of fact I am in love, with Ron, we're getting married!" She shoved her ring into his face.
Snape sniggered, "ah, you and Weasley. For some reason, I can't see that happening in the long run. You're complete opposites."
"You're one to talk about opposites!" Hermione gritted her teeth, "besides, we compliment each other!"
Snape chuckled to himself, "let's just get to work shall we?"
They managed to get a month worth's of lesson plans done with little talking as possible. Once they had finished the seventh year's work for September they decided to break for lunch.
"Have you told anyone about - us?"
"No, of course not." Hermione snapped quickly. "Have you?"
"I told Bevana."
"You told HER?!?!?!"
"Of course, we know everything about each other. No secrets."
"What if RON finds out?"
"So what if he does?"
"I was cheating on him with you! He thinks he was my first and only."
"Tisk, tisk Hermione, you should be honest with those you love."
"Excuse me? WE agreed to keep quiet about it, REMEMBER?"
"Look, what you do or don't tell Ron is your business. Why would Bevana tell him?" His mind went back to Potter. Should he tell Hermione? It was probably best left alone. "Don't worry. Our secret is safe."
"Fine, look, I have to go, I'm meeting Harry for lunch."
He watched her walk out. She had told Potter. She had to 've. It was her fault he had to give Potter the job. He gritted his teeth. No, she was terrified of Weasley finding out. Why would she tell his best friend? He didn't know what to think. He decided she should keep an eye on Granger and Potter from now on.
"Hungry?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hermione found Harry sipping on a butterbeer in a corner booth of the Three Broomsticks. Aside from the beverage, he had waited for her before he had ordered lunch. He caught her eye and gave a quick wave in her direction. She smiled, nodded, and headed in his direction.
"Thank God, I'm famished."
"Old Snape working you too hard?"
"Not really, it was mainly his droning on about his wife that got to me."
"I don't see why everyone dislikes her so. She's hot."
"Hot? Everyone should like her because she's hot?"
"So she doesn't want to be a witch. It's her life. She should be able to do what she wants."
"You just don't get it do you? Her family founded the American Institute for Witchcraft and Wizardry and she just turned her back on it. Then there are people like me who spend their whole lives trying to prove themselves while she's just throwing it away!"
"I understand how you feel ---"
"No, you don't!" She said hotly.
"All I'm trying to say is, you don't know her. You don't know why she chose the choices that she did. You don't have enough to pass judgement on her. And you can't tell me Hermione Granger judges people on reputation alone."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I absolutely despise it when you're right."
They ordered lunch while carrying on friendly banter. Harry was absolutely loving this. He felt so close to her right now. He wondered if she and Ron had times like this. Maybe all was not lost; maybe he still had a chance with her. His eyes lit up and he smiled. She looked up at him and smiled in return.
She suddenly felt wonderful. Harry was such a great guy; he was such a great friend. How could she ever doubt that he would be any less understanding about her and Ron? Suddenly she felt very guilty. Her eyes began to tear.
"What's wrong?"
"I - I love you, you know. You're so wonderful." She scrambled over and squeezed him.
He knew it. He knew it! Now he just had to take things slow and wait for her to come around.
"Ron wants you to be his best man you know." Hermione sniffled, "I would love that too."
His face dropped again. Of course.