Disclaimer on Chapter 1 – Don't own them, just enjoy playing with them!
Time Does Not Heal All WoundsWendyNat
Chapter 8
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"Amazing. Truly amazing," Hermione murmured as she thumbed through Severus' notes. She was seated on the small couch in his room – a room that appeared to be completely identical to her own room directly above. That's certainly one thing muggle hotels and wizarding hotels have in common, she thought wryly.
Severus returned with two cups of tea, handing her one. She accepted it absently, still absorbed in the account of how he had come to the conclusion that Remus' DNA itself had been altered. Most previous theories concerning werewolves focused on red blood cells due to the drastic changes they showed after infection. In fact, the Wolfsbane potion was based on these theories. However, the actual cause of the cell change had never been determined. No one had thought to look at a change in the sufferer's DNA, especially since a cursory look into muggle DNA science would inform the researcher that red blood cells did not even carry DNA. Most researchers stopped right there…usually with relief – muggle science was a daunting concept for most wizards to tackle.
However, Severus had dug deeper into the problem after his attempts to convert the Wolfsbane potion into a permanent cure were unsuccessful. The Wolfsbane potion concentrated on masking the changes to the red blood cells and thus keeping a complete transformation from occurring. This realization led Severus, according to his notes, to look for the source of the changes in the red blood cells… which ultimately led to his work with muggle DNA.
"How did you get the electrophoresis equipment?" Hermione had taken a few classes at a muggle university, and was familiar with the basic concept. She assumed the agarose gel and fluorescent dye could easily be replicated in a potions lab, but some of the other items – such as the ultraviolet-transparent plastic for the trays – would have to have been acquired in the muggle world.
Severus smiled. "I have my contacts." No amount of prodding would get him to explain further so Hermione gave up and sat back on the couch, sipping her tea with a frustrated appearance. Severus indicated the notes in front of her and told her, "Those are copies, Hermione. You are, of course, free to take them with you. Do not feel compelled to digest it all this instant."
Hermione put the teacup down on the table with a sigh. "Very well. We do have some other matters to discuss, I suppose." She looked at her hands. "Although I haven't the faintest idea where to begin."
Severus sat back in the armchair, staring at the fireplace. Without looking at her, he cleared his throat and confessed, "I know I should apologize for what happened last night, but I find that I cannot." His voice was smooth and controlled. "I do not regret it." Finally he looked up at her, watching her hands worrying the teacup in her grasp. She didn't meet his gaze. "Especially considering that it may have been my last opportunity to experience it." This last comment was both statement and question.
Hermione took a deep breath and raised her eyes. Summoning her courage, she said calmly, "By all rights, I should feel horribly guilty. But I don't. I can't explain it." Still staring into his eyes, she said in a low voice, "It felt right, didn't it?"
He nodded slowly in response, not quite believing what he was hearing. He had convinced himself that she would be overcome with guilt, perhaps even angry with him. This reaction was not at all what he had expected.
"Hermione, I told you my feelings last night. It was the truth." Severus turned his head once again, blankly staring into the fireplace. "I want nothing more than to be with you again, but there is a rather obvious complexity to the situation." At this, he looked pointedly at her left hand, where her wedding ring sparkled. "I'm afraid this is rather outside my realm of experience."
Hermione snorted. "It's rather outside my realm of experience, too, Severus." Hermione sighed. "Susan-" at his questioning look, she clarified, "Susan Bones-Longbottom, my close friend-" Severus raised an eyebrow at this, but made no comment as she continued, "-gave me some advice that was rather good, I think. Severus, we haven't really even talked in seven years- well, before last night, that is. We need to get to know one another… I- I need to acquaint myself with the Severus of now, not the Severus of seven years ago. And vice versa. I need to be sure- in my mind- of what I want… of what we want…" He nodded, understanding perfectly. His thoughts had followed the same path last night, as he lay wakeful in the hotel bed.
She swallowed, and then continued with a voice that was strong and direct. "I won't hurt Viktor unless I'm sure that I want to leave him." She turned her head to look directly into his eyes. "And I won't betray our marriage. I- I've… betrayed it enough in my dreams," she ended with a whisper.
Severus could only shake his head, trying to process what she had just told him. Had she been dreaming of him, of them? Were her dreams similar to the ones he, himself, had been experiencing of late? He looked at her through narrowed eyes. "You cannot control your dreams, Hermione. I would hardly count that as a betrayal." He held his breath, waiting for her response.
Hermione accepted his statement. "You're right, I know. But the meaning is the same, nonetheless – I won't betray Viktor. I think you need to know that, especially since we'll be working in such tight quarters soon."
Severus was elated – she didn't realize it, but she had just given him an idea. Pushing the thought aside for the time being, he asked, "And what, precisely, do you classify as 'betraying Viktor'?" He hoped she didn't see the sneer that accompanied the name. "I certainly don't wish to violate any moral boundaries that you've erected." He was interested, also, to see if her boundaries were the same as his. Although some may not think it, Severus Snape was a man of honor. He would not take another man's wife to his bed; although the temptation, in this case, was immense. But beyond that…
Hermione blushed. "Well… I suppose the basic 'And thou shalt not commit adultery' just about covers it."
Her eyes widened in surprise as he rose to his feet and stealthily made his way to the couch where she sat. Cupping her cheek with his hand, he commented silkily, "Well, that provides us a bit of leeway, doesn't it?"
She smiled slightly, leaning into his touch. "You certainly are a sly bastard, aren't you?"
"It comes naturally to me, Hermione. A lot of things do." Her breath caught at the remembered words, and she looked up at him from under lowered eyelashes. His hand moved to her neck, and leaning down he brought his lips to hers once again in a sweet, lingering kiss.
They pulled back, breathing heavily, and Severus realized one thing - he wanted this woman, all of her… body, mind, and soul. And, within the boundaries she had set, he would use any trick his cunning mind could come up with to succeed.
* * * * * *
Later that afternoon, Remus was surprised to find that he was enjoying himself immensely. He had a suspicion that his enjoyment had more to do with the black-haired witch by his side than with the potions displays. Although, he had to admit that he was finding the commercial displays quite entertaining. The more serious researchers generally gravitated to either schools or Ministry research centers, leaving the less difficult - and sometimes frivolous - work for their colleagues employed by independent potions manufacturers. Judging by the displays, and Hestia's comments, many of the potions on exhibit were cosmetic in nature. He chuckled a bit at the image of Severus Snape researching a potion to make a woman's lips red for twelve hours (far superior to lipstick or glamour charms! the glossy sign stated proudly) – now he knew why Snape refused to work in the commercial sector, despite the fact that he appeared to hate teaching.
Hestia glanced up at him, her blue eyes curious. "What are you laughing about?" When he told her, she also chuckled – the charming laugh lines around her eyes deepening for a moment. "Now that's a sight I cannot envision – the snarky Potions Master of Hogwarts working on a new version of long-lasting nail polish!" Hestia shook her head, laughing, as she indicated a display that included a wizarding photo of a woman's wiggling toes, painted in a lurid pink.
"And for that, I am exceptionally grateful."
Hearing the familiar sarcastic voice behind them, Remus turned and smiled. "Hello, Severus! What brings you here?" He noticed the other person standing beside Severus. "And Hermione! How are you, darling? Ready for tomorrow?" At her nod, Hestia broke into a grin.
"Are you kidding me, Remus? Hermione has been ready for tomorrow for weeks now – her Manere potion will be the Ministry's front display," Hestia said proudly.
Hermione shrugged a little, pleased despite herself. "I like to be prepared." Suddenly, she noticed the nail polish display. "Ugh - that color reminds me of Umbridge," she declared, shuddering. "Is there anything worth looking at here?"
Hestia shook her head. "Not really. Just the typical commercial exhibits. Kind of a waste, really. Though it does give us some downtime… anyone up for getting tea at one of the cafes?" Severus and Hermione demurred, insisting that they wanted to take advantage of the downtime to iron out what materials Hermione would need to bring from her Ministry offices. In truth, Hermione – and even Severus – could sense that other two could do without their presence at the moment. And if they hadn't sensed it already, the look Remus shot them made his wishes quite clear.
As they walked off, Remus casually draped an arm across Hestia's shoulders and leaned in to whisper, "They seem rather comfortable with each other, don't they?"
Hestia gave him a sidelong glance and replied in a low voice, "She wasn't so comfortable yesterday watching him speak. I thought she'd melt right through her seat. With their history, I certainly couldn't blame her."
"Hmmm. I knew you were observant enough to notice what was right under your nose."
Hestia gave him a mischievous look. "More observant than you are, apparently. You haven't even noticed how shamelessly I've been flirting with you over this past year."
They had reached the café, and the business of finding seats and ordering gave Remus time enough to plan his reply. Reaching for Hestia's hand, Remus looked at her with a smile. "I have to confess – your hints did not go completely unnoticed. But until recently, I haven't felt… at liberty… to pursue any sort of… interest… I may have had."
Hestia watched him speculatively. "The werewolf thing didn't bother me one bit, Remus." With a slow, sultry smile, she stated, "Actually, it was rather sexy."
"Pardon?"
Hestia's smile grew. "Oh, you know – a woman likes a bit of animal in a man."
Remus let out a low chuckle. "Hmmm. Well, my dear, you're in luck. Although I may no longer turn into a wolf once a month… the wolven instincts that were awakened are still very much present."
"Really?" Hestia took a long look at the man seated in front of her – his silvering brown hair glinted in the sunlight and his eyes certainly seemed to hold a sort of wolf-like intensity. Oh, yes. Aloud, she commented, "You know, I believe I've lost my appetite… for tea."
The look in her eyes left him with no doubt as to her meaning. Bringing her hand up to kiss it slowly, his gaze met hers. "Well, my dear, perhaps we should adjourn to another location?"
She ran a finger down his cheek his knee under the table. With a lifted eyebrow, she simply said, "My room or yours?"
* * * * * *
Hermione sat back on the couch in her room, rubbing her eyes. It was late, but she simply hadn't been able to put down the notes she was reading through. She already had some ideas about the best way to adjust the Manere potion for the lycanthropy cure, but without all of the equipment she would just have to wait to test her plan.
All of a sudden, her wedding ring grew warm on her finger. Viktor and she hadn't had a chance to communicate yesterday evening – the ISC meeting schedule had included a compulsory dinner for that night. Touching her finger to the ring, she completed the connection. Instantly, Viktor's voice came into her mind. Hello, Hermione. How is the conference going so far?
Not too bad, she sent back. Do you remember me telling you about the lycanthropy cure?
Yes. Has somevun done it, then?
Hermione smiled and sent, Yes. Remus Lupin - you remember him- and Severus gave the presentation yesterday. Remus has been cured!
There was a pause, and then she heard Viktor's voice again, That is vunderful. Ven you said Severus – you are speaking of Severus Snape, correct?
Hermione took a deep breath, feeling a twinge of guilt. She had to remind herself to act naturally – he didn't know about her internal debate, and there was little point in waiting until her feelings were settled in her mind if she was going to give it away by acting peculiarly. That's right. And… she paused for a moment. Viktor had seemed okay after the talk they had had, but she was still apprehensive about telling him the rest. Pulling her courage together, she sent, Minister Fudge wants me to work with him on extending the shelf life of the potion.
Vy vould you be involved vith that? At this, Hermione felt a surge of anger. Did he never listen to her when she told him about her projects? She'd been working on the Manere potion for almost a year!
Well, Viktor, I've told you about my project about a thousand times, remember? The Manere potion – extends the shelf life of other potions – remember that?
Oh. That's right. I had forgotten about that project. Vell, I am sure it vill not take you long to complete.
Hermione sighed, wishing once again that Viktor showed some aptitude or interest in Potions. Shaking her head slightly, she sent, I'm not so sure about that, Viktor. The lycanthropy cure is really complex, requiring a lot of muggle scientific equipment. It may take some time to adjust the Manere potion. Taking a deep breath, she continued, In fact… the equipment required is so unusual that we don't have the facilities at the Ministry to house it. I'll have to work at Hogwarts until it's done. Fudge's orders.
There was a long pause. For a moment Hermione thought the connection may have been broken, but the ring was still warm on her finger. Finally, she heard, I see.
Viktor? It really won't be any different from my being at the Ministry offices – I may work some longer hours but other than that…
Viktor's voice sounded hesitant in her mind. I am not vorried about the hours. Another pause. Hermione had no idea how to respond, so she was thankful when his voice continued, Never mind that for now. Ve vill haff to talk this veekend.
I thought you would be in Spain all weekend?
No, I vill be able to come home Saturday. I von't be needed for the veekend meetings… and Viktor proceeded to tell her about the changes to the meeting schedule. Relieved that the conversation had drawn away from the dangerous path it was taking, Hermione was able to respond convincingly to his stories about the ISC meetings.
After the connection was broken, Hermione lay on the hotel bed staring at the ceiling. Finally, after a long while, sleep took her.
A/N: Thank you thank you thank you to everyone who reviewed!
Electryone – thanks! As you can see, it's already difficult for them to control themselves… I can't imagine that working together all day in the Hogwarts dungeons will make things easier – bwahahahaha!
Maddy-Riddle – I'm glad that you think I'm making Hermione sound real – I've been trying to do that as much as possible, as well as the other characters. Thanks!
LJ Yolo, HPGirl – Thanks!
Deb – Thanks! I'm glad you liked the Susan angle… I always like to bounce ideas off of an objective observer, so I thought Hermione would feel the same :). The work setting is coming up soon!
Crudely – I hope this is fast enough for you :). Susan wasn't telling her to stay with Viktor if she truly loves Severus, just that she should wait and make sure she really feels the same way about Severus now that she did then before she takes that jump. A lot can change in seven years, and Susan's just being realistic. And it's a scary thing for Hermione, either way. But, I do agree with you :). Thanks for the review!!
Raclswt – I agree with you – Snape is much sexier ;). I've added you to my email update list!
Feed the author – review!