Hey! Keep sending good vibes because they helped so far. This week I have 1,2,3,4 exams and a national holiday to study. Anyway…I hope you like this chapter… and… nothing; I just wanted to say that I've written up to chapter 27, which is the wedding chapter. I really liked it…
Anyhow…this is chapter 22…and…enjoy.
Chapter 22: While My Dear Friend Gently Weeps
It was very early in the morning when Hermione woke up. She was a morning person and she desperately needed a cup of coffee. She got up from her bed, and after placing a sweet kiss on Ron's forehead, she walked through the door frame.
-'Mione?- Ron asked half asleep- Wait a minute. I want to go with you.
-That is not necessary, Ron. I know you like to sleep late- She confessed.
-I want to; It would be my pleasure- He said standing up- Have you seen Florence, by the way?
-No, I didn't…- She answered. She was glad they had shared a kiss, but the tension between them was getting stronger by the minute. She didn't know how to react or what to do, and to be quite honest, she hadn't been thinking of Florence since …well… since she had fell asleep after the little "chat" Ron and herself had overhead.
When they entered the kitchen they found Snape drinking black coffee on a corner while most of the Weasley's staying at the Burrow were around the wooden table having tea or chocolate- along with some vanilla cookies and coconut pastries. Snape seemed rather bitter, but then again, Snape always seemed bitter.
Neither Florence nor George was around and Ron thought that the reason for Snape's sour behaviour had something to do with that. They asked no questions, though. They knew how to be polite when things seemed tense, and George was in a tense situation, alright.
Here's a guy that has problems with his twin brother, with his ex wife, and with himself. That must be hard to handle.
Ron sat across from Audrey, who was looking rather disagreeable as well. Hermione didn't feel at all comfortable with the sitting arrangements. That's why she stood up with a cup of steamy Colombian infusion in her hand, and without thinking about it twice, she sat down beside Snape.
-Good morning, professor- She said slowly.
-Yes, well, Miss Granger I am very sorry but I cannot stay to chat. I have more important obligations ahead than discuss mundane topics with a silly girl such as you. Do me a favour, though. Hand these in to Miss Pugliare- He said, talking a bottle of blue liquid out of his black robes- and make sure she drinks the whole cocktail. Understood?- He asked, raising an eyebrow, as if he was still her teacher.
-Of course, Professor Snape- She said, but before she had finished pronouncing that last sentence he was gone. Hermione wondered if the bottle she was holding contained venom.
She moved her head to her left, trying to catch a glimpse of what Ron was doing. She smiled to herself when she discovered that he was trying to do the exact same thing with her.
Hermione walked to the stairs and up into the first floor corridor where she heard a soft cry. It belonged to Florence, no doubt. She was just about to open the twins' bedroom door when another person- George- did it himself.
-Oh… the potion. I see. It was wise of him to send you instead- George said, staring at the bottle. Without looking at Hermione once- or his sobbing ex wife, for that matter- he stepped into the corridor and walked towards the stairs.
-Florence, dear, what's the matter?- Hermione asked in a tone that could resemble Molly Weasley's.
-Nothing, Hermione- Florence muttered- George and I got into a row. Nothing much… I… I am not feeling very well- She confessed. Hermione then remembered the potion Snape had given her.
-Oh, Flor…I forgot! Professor Snape gave me this. He said you must drink it all- Hermione stated. Florence smiled a weak smile.
-How considerate of him- She whispered to herself, her eyes glowing.
-Is there something you want to tell me?- Hermione asked, raising her eyebrow.
-Ehem… no. Just that Professor Snape found me after passing out in Room 542… - Florence said almost in a whisper- He was hugging me next to the fire, you know…to keep me warm, and George found us…at least that's what I remember. I can't remember much; I was very fragile back then, you know… I still am- She confessed.
-Drink the potion then- Hermione recommended- but… Florence…why were you on Room 542? Nobody ever goes there- She asked.
-Well… I was… discussing literature with an old friend- The writer answered.
-I see… so is George angry with you because of your little reunion with Snape?- The Auror inquired.
-No!- Florence shouted- I don't think he knows… but I can't really tell why he is upset.-
She did not know, of course, that George was mad because she had kissed him, confusing him with Snape.
-Have you given him reasons to be disturbed?- Hermione asked once again.
-I don't think I did… but you know George. He gets jealous over nothing…- Florence stated.
-Does he need to be jealous?-
-Why are you asking so many bloody questions?- Florence shouted- You know what, Hermione? Let's change the subject, ok? Before I get mad with you too.-
-Ron and I kissed- Hermione confessed. Florence stared at her in disbelief.
-Are you serious, 'Mione?- Florence asked, sitting on the bed, a wide smile across her face- And? What does that mean?
-I don't know, really. We haven't said much… we kissed again… it was just …incredible- Hermione said, biting her lower lip- And this morning he escorted me downstairs… but once there…-
-Once there, what?-
-He sat across Audrey- She said bitterly.
-The bitch!- Florence yelled in indignation- the bitch is always in the way… do you want me to get rid of her? My uncle knows the Triboliani's and they can …- Florence propose, but Hermione started to laugh before she could finish with her very serious offer.
-He needs to sort out his priorities- Hermione said sadly.
-I can talk to him if you want- Florence suggested.
-I don't think that's a good idea… I reckon he must choose between her and me- Hermione answered.
Two seconds later- and before Florence could say anything else- a very black, old, greasy bat, in Hermione's opinion, entered the room. Florence's eyes were shinning with happiness as if seeing Severus Snape meant the world to her.
-Professor, thank you very much for the potion… it suited me well- She said slowly.
-Miss Pugliare, I am very glad you are feeling fine. I came to check if you were ok while your husband is away- Snape commented.
-George is away?- Hermione asked, but neither Snape nor Florence answered back. They were too immerse on their own worlds to care. She understood the hint completely…and without them noticing she got out of the room.
-Hermione, dear, do you think we can talk?- A very sweet voice, almost too sweet to tolerate, asked. It was Audrey… Ron's beloved pen friend.
"Things might get interesting"- Hermione thought to herself before nodding and walking into another room… Ron's and her's.
