Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. A/N at end.
Some Scars Never FadeWendyNat
Chapter 4
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"Hello, there, stranger!" Hermione purred, sliding onto a barstool and batting her eyelashes. The man who was on the receiving end of her attentions laughed loudly and picked up a wineglass, filling it with a practiced efficiency.
"There you are, my dear. Long time no see. A whole week, hasn't it been?" Tom handed her the wineglass and she murmured her thanks. "So tell me, are you the reason my snarky friend hasn't come by in a while? Been keeping him busy?"
Hermione grinned wolfishly. "You might say that." Taking a sip, she sighed with appreciation. Tom was rumored to have an unerring memory for his customers' favorite drinks, and the rumor had been proven once again. The wine was slightly sweet with floral undertones – exactly the type she liked. "Although work has also kept him away. We're getting close to solving the potion. But he did mention he'd probably drop by to talk to you this weekend."
Tom raised an eyebrow. "He did, did he? You must be going away. One of your famous 'girls' nights'?"
Nodding, she smiled. "Friday – with Susan."
"Bones-Longbottom, right?" Hermione nodded again, and Tom said, "Nice girl, she is. Neville's a lucky man. But then, so is Severus." Waggling his eyebrows at her playfully, he said, "If you ever get tired of him, you know where to find me, sweetheart."
Hermione laughed again, shaking her head. "I don't see that happening, but I'll put your name first on the waiting list. After all, what other man would have access to the vintages that you do?" she asked teasingly. She was glad Severus had introduced her to his long-time friend. She had known Tom, as owner of the Leaky Cauldron, since she was eleven years old – but she hadn't known him on a personal level until now. He was friendly, funny, and sharp-witted, much more so than she had previously thought. He was also amazingly perceptive, but she supposed that in his job that was a necessity.
Leaning on the bar, Tom looked at her. "I have to confess, when Severus talked to me after that Potions Conference I don't think I've ever been so shocked... well, except for the time Madam Malkin cornered me in… um… never mind that. What I wanted to say is - I'm glad. I know all this hasn't been easy for you, but… thank you." Hermione looked slightly confused, and he elaborated, "I've known Severus many years. More years than I reckon you've been alive, to tell the truth. Never seen him happier than he is now. Think he's smiled more in these few weeks than he has in the last… oh… seven years, maybe?" Hermione smiled at that. Severus had said Tom was the only person he'd talked to about their past. Tom smiled back easily. "Now – much as I wish it to be true, I don't reckon you came all the way here to pledge your undying love for your dear ol' Tom. What's on the agenda for today?"
Hermione laughed again and answered, "No, meeting some of the boys for lunch. Neville, Harry, and-"
"The great Ronald Weasley," a deep voice behind her finished her statement. Turning, Hermione grinned and gave the tall redhead a hug.
Tom smiled at the two and gestured them to a table, handing Ron a glass of red currant rum. Ron gave his thanks, and they sat down.
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Do you realize that's Fudge's favorite drink?"
Ron pulled a face. "So I've been told. The similarities end there, that's for sure." They both chuckled a bit, and Ron sat back. "How have you been, 'Mione?"
"Good. Really good." Hermione paused for a moment. "How about you, Ron? I heard you and Lavender broke up again."
Ron shrugged. "Yeah. No big deal, really. It's not like we were married or anything," he said with a pointed glare and a definite emphasis on the word "married". Hermione averted her eyes and sighed, hoping silently that Neville or Harry would show up soon. Ever since she and Viktor had gotten divorced, Ron had been making little comments like that one. So far she'd just ignored them, hoping that he'd tire of the game, but she was fed up.
"Ron, you know what happened. It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. Why are you still making little digs like that? Are you trying to upset me?"
Ron scowled. "You know I'm not, 'Mione. But… Viktor was so in love with you, and… I mean… Snape?" He shook his head. "Harry told me about what happened between you two right after seventh year, but… I assumed… you were young… and foolish – right?"
Hermione put her wineglass down with force, wincing at the sound. Tom looked over questioningly and she shook her head slightly – I'm fine. He nodded, and turned back to the bar. Moving her eyes to meet Ron's in an unflinching glare, she allowed her anger to surface. "Ronald Weasley. I was young, but never foolish. The only foolish thing I did was to marry Viktor when I didn't love him. I loved Severus, and still do, with all of my heart. Everyone seems to understand this fact but you. Why is this so hard for you to absorb? Merlin, even Viktor understood."
Ron shook his head and rubbed his hands over his face. "I know, 'Mione. If you didn't love Viktor, you should have left him, you're right about that. But… it's just not easy to figure… I mean, we're talking Snape here! He's nasty, sarcastic…"
"I know what he is, Ron. And listen to me: I. Love. Him." Hermione fixed him with an unwavering stare. "Whether or not you approve of my choice, as my friend you should respect it."
Ron drummed his fingers on the table. "Okay, 'Mione. But you can't expect me to be happy about the whole situation. Viktor's my friend. And Snape may have Harry snowed, but I remember how he was when we were at Hogwarts."
"We were students, Ron. Are you trying to tell me you treat your trainee Aurors the same as your colleagues?" Hermione knew the answer to that question – she had heard how demanding of a taskmaster he was with the new recruits. More than one new face had broken down in tears after a tongue-lashing from Ron Weasley.
Ron opened his mouth to answer, but was interrupted by the appearance of Neville and Harry. After they had traded quick greetings and placed their lunch orders, Neville handed the cat carrier to Hermione. "Here you go, Hermione – all yours."
"Thanks, Neville. So the entire shipment was stripped, then?" Neville nodded. Hermione frowned slightly and continued, "We're working on identifying the ingredients in the potion. It'll take a few more days, possibly. But something's a little unusual with it." Hermione filled Neville in on Professor Sprout's Irish and French shipments.
Neville's face looked thoughtful. After a moment, he said, "I wonder why it would act differently… if it's the same potion…"
"It could be a case of inadequate shelf life. You know what I'm doing with the Manere potion… there are a surprising number of potions with a very short shelf life. There are also some ingredients that don't do well with certain temperatures, or can't handle Apparition…. we're checking it out. I'll let you know once we know something."
Ron frowned. "The question is - why would someone do this?" He looked at Neville for a moment. "Could it be a rival greenhouse, trying to take out the competition?"
"That's what I was wondering," Hermione said, also looking at Neville, who shook his head.
"Doubtful. Renovo doesn't run a large enough operation to really be a threat to other companies." Neville shook his head and took a sip of his drink. "I made an appointment to see him later this week to discuss the problem. I'll let you know how it goes. I feel bad for the guy; he's a rather nice fellow. Hate to think someone's sabotaging him. Especially since he's a squib – it burns me up that some wizard thinks he's fair game."
Harry let out an irritated breath and stared at his plate. "I had hoped that after the whole thing with Voldemort… everyone would wizen up and just play above the board. I guess if some evil overlord isn't creating devastation, some people just have to create some of their own." Hermione looked at him sympathetically. He had fought for so long, put everything on the line, for peace. She had been glad when, after Voldemort was defeated, he had quit his position as an Auror and went to work for the ISC.
Ron snorted. "Tell me about it. Right now, there's some nutter going around France cursing people. Muggles mostly, but some magical folk, too. We've all been put on alert."
Neville nodded. "I read about that in the Daily Prophet." Seeing Hermione's confused look, Neville said, "Didn't you see the articles?"
Hermione shook her head and pushed her empty plate aside. "I don't get that rag. Especially not right after Viktor and I…"
Ron sneered slightly. "Well, 'Mione, somebody is prancing around France and casting a rather nasty curse at people. It's an unknown one, so no trackers can detect it. We've been going through loads of records trying to see if there is any prior history of the thing." He paused for a minute, and then curled his lip in what Hermione was sure was an unintentional impression of Severus. "In fact, maybe I ought to arrange a talk with your boyfriend. It's probably one of his old Death Eater pals that's doing the deed."
Harry took a look at Hermione's face and kicked Ron under the table. "Ow! Oh, all right – sorry, 'Mione," Ron said reluctantly.
Hermione just shook her head. "Whatever, Ron. I'm not asking you to be best mates, but can you try to keep the nasty comments to a minimum? If Neville can do it, so can you." Sighing, she took a look at the clock and grimaced. "Well, I need to get going."
Harry gave her a sympathetic glance. "Today's the big meeting, right? Viktor said something about it this morning before he left." Hermione nodded. "Listen, he's doing a lot better. Just… keep things light and friendly and it'll go fine."
"Thanks, Harry. Bye, guys," she said and rose from the table. They all said their farewells, and Hermione left. Once she was through the door, Harry swung his head back to face Ron.
"Damn it, Weasley. What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing. Look, I'll lay off Hermione. I am sorry about that. But listen, Harry – just cuz he's got you as his biggest fan nowadays doesn't mean we've all gone mental. Right, Neville?" Ron regarded Neville, confidant that the other man was in agreement. His jaw dropped when Neville shook his head.
"Actually, Susan and I met them for dinner the other night. He's different, Ron. We talked a while – it wasn't bad at all. He treated me like a… like a colleague. A colleague on friendly terms. We all knew the guy was a genius, but he's damned funny, too. In a dry sort of way," Neville said. Harry smothered a grin at the look on Ron's face.
"What is this – some sort of Severus Snape Appreciation Society meeting? You're both mental!" Ron declared, lifting his glass and taking a long swallow.
Harry laughed. "Maybe – well, I haven't had the chance to really get to know him, but after the war he's been more than civil to me. And… well, you know what happened at the Final Battle, Ron." Ron nodded slowly, still looking at him like he had lost his mind. "We were students back when you formed your opinion of him, mate. Do you think your trainees have a true vision of the real 'Ron Weasley?'" Ron flushed slightly and gave a sheepish grin. Harry nodded. "Exactly. Give him a try now. Look, I know he's not the most likable fellow at first, but he's just got to grow on you."
Ron gave a shudder. "Please, guys! The last thing I want to think about is Snape growing on me."
* * * * * *
While the men at the Leaky Cauldron laughed over Ron's comment, Hermione stood on the front step of the house she and her ex-husband had shared for five years. She hadn't seen Viktor in almost a month, and she was nervous. How was she going to react to seeing him again? What if he looked upset? What should she do? Maybe she should have just handled everything by owl post… Aren't you a Gryffindor, girl? She thought to herself sternly. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door.
He was already there.
They stood, silently staring at each other, for a few endless moments. Then-
"Um. Hi," Hermione stammered. Oh, so very smooth, Hermione.
"Hi."
"How – how have you been, Viktor?"
Viktor looked at her for a moment, then shrugged slightly. "Better than I expected. Ve haff a lot to go through, Hermione, ve should probably get started." Relieved to be on more professional ground, Hermione followed him to the study and sat in front of the desk. He took the other chair and, unrolling a parchment, they began.
It took much longer than she had expected to go through everything. It was amazing what two people could accumulate in five years, notwithstanding the property they had both entered the marriage with. Luckily, they were able to divide everything up equally and amicably. They really hadn't had a lot in common, Hermione realized. The items that Viktor was adamant about keeping were things that she would be perfectly content to never see again in her lifetime, and from his reactions to her treasured items she could tell that the reverse was true. After a time, she pointed that out to him and they both shared a laugh.
"Vell, I never could understand vy you picked that out."
"I loved it! It was perfect for the room!" Hermione protested, chuckling when Viktor gave a mock shudder.
"All that dark vood… I haff alvays preferred light voods," Viktor said, shaking his head. Hermione nodded.
"I know."
Sighing, he sat back and regarded her thoughtfully. "Ve vere not compatible in our decorating tastes, vere ve?" She shook her head, confused by the solemn air he was suddenly distributing. "Ve vere not compatible vith many things." Looking at the bookshelves lining one wall of the study, he said, "Vy did you stay vith me as long as you did, Hermione?"
She tensed, but his tone sounded curious, not hurt. "I- I didn't realize. I did keep thinking that it would get better, grow somehow… I wasn't unhappy with you, Viktor. You… you were my best friend. I thought… well, when I saw Severus again at the conference, and found out the truth about what happened… it just became clear to me then. I'm sorry." She took a deep breath. "I'm very sorry that I didn't tell you sooner. I should have, I know. It wasn't fair."
Viktor just nodded. "You vere my best friend, too, Herm-own-ninny. Maybe… in more time, ve can be friends again. I haff many good friends... but a voman's perspective is alvays valuable."
Hermione debated bringing it up, but she decided that she owed it to Hestia. "I had heard that there may be something… or someone right now that you may need a woman's perspective on. If you want to talk about it, I'm here now."
Viktor looked at her for a moment and then laughed. "Harry really cannot keep his mouth closed, can he?" Hermione grinned and shook her head. "Vell, yes. I haff not even spoken to Tonks, but Harry and the other guys… they are pushing me to talk vith her."
Hermione nodded. "I think you should, Viktor. She's a good person. And, from what I understand, almost as Quidditch-crazed as you are." She paused and continued in a careful tone, "Just – be careful with her. I've heard… well, she's a bit inexperienced. No matter what Harry may have told you."
To her surprise, Viktor seemed pleased. "I vas vondering… she seemed shy, but Harry… vell, it doesn't matter. I am glad you haff told me this." He shook his head, bemused. "This is very strange, talking to you about something like this. How can you do it?" Hermione looked at him questioningly, and he shook his head. "How can you make me feel so at ease vith everything? A month ago, I could have bet a thousand Galleons that I could not speak vith you so easily, especially about another voman… and now, here I am."
Hermione smiled. "It's what friends are for, Viktor."
* * * * * *
Neville was in the secondary Ministry greenhouse when he caught a glance of his watch. "Blast! I've got to get cleaned up." Stripping off his dragonhide gloves and casting some quick cleaning charms, he turned to Dennis Creevey and said, "I've got an appointment with the Moreau greenhouse in Provence. Can you finish up here?" Dennis nodded enthusiastically. "Thanks – if it runs over I'll see you tomorrow."
He's a good kid. A little on the over-enthusiastic side, but he's a good worker, Neville thought to himself as he made his way out of the greenhouse and to the Apparition point.
When he arrived at the Moreau greenhouse, he was surprised to be met at the gates by one of Moreau's employees. Renovo usually met him personally when they had a scheduled appointment. The man was rather large and looked vaguely familiar. Must have seen him around here before, Neville thought. With a slight shrug, Neville followed the hulking man up the path to the office.
The man showed him to a small room and left him there, saying gruffly that Mr. Moreau would see him shortly. After a few minutes, Renovo came in. Neville smiled widely and stood up. "Hello, there Renovo! It's good to see you, how have things been?" Neville's grin faltered when Renovo just stared at him for a moment. Then, shaking his head slightly, Renovo gave him a slow smile in return.
"Hello, Neville. Things have been… all right," Renovo said, moving to the other side of the desk. Both men sat down.
Neville looked at him seriously. "Renovo, what's happening with your fields? The most recent shipment I received had the same problem that I owled you about last month." Renovo didn't answer, and Neville continued, "Look, I want to help. I don't know what's causing this, but I have two of the best Potions Masters in Europe looking into the problem."
Renovo's eyes flashed. "Who?"
"Severus Snape and Hermione Kr- I mean, Hermione Granger." Neville leaned forward earnestly. "I've been a patron of this greenhouse for years, and my predecessor always spoke highly of your operation. I don't like to see this happening to you, Renovo. You're a good man, trying to make an honest living. I'm sorry for not speaking with you about it first, but I didn't think you'd mind if I asked them to help."
"You're friends with Severus Snape?" Renovo sounded incredulous.
Neville cocked his head. "Yes, I guess I could say that. My wife is close with his… partner."
Renovo drummed his fingers on the desk. "I've… read a lot about him. I do wish you had spoken to me about it prior to involving them, Neville… but I guess I should thank you." Neville raised an eyebrow slightly. Renovo's tone didn't sound very grateful.
Neville could sense that he was outstaying his welcome, and stood. "Well, Renovo, I had better get back. I just wanted to inform you that I have some people working on it, and I'll let you know whatever they find out."
Renovo inclined his head imperiously, and bade him farewell.
As he left the room, Neville's eyebrows were knit in confusion. Wonder what's going on with him? He's usually so friendly. He supposed it could be the stress from his crop damage. But if that were the case – shouldn't he have been more grateful that Neville was looking into the problem?
When Neville reached the gates, he paused and looked back up the path to the main office building before Apparating back to the Ministry. He felt a strange wave of foreboding when he saw that the hulking man was still standing at the front door, staring at him.
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A/N: Thanks for reading – now, please review! Feed the hungry muses!
Louise Luvgood – Thanks for the review!! I'm glad you're liking the story so far. I'm really enjoying reading your guesses/theories about what's going on… but I'm going to have to be mean and not respond to them until afterwards ;). I'm glad you like the way I'm writing and editing the lemony scenes – I'm trying to make it smooth for both versions. Thanks!
The great and masterful Yoda – Thank you for the review. Not gonna answer any plot-type comments… because I find myself tempted to give too much away :)
Lizzie - grin Thanks for the review!
Electryone – I'm glad you like the Hestia/Herm conversation about Fudge. I thought some of my fellow Slytherins would catch on before Hestia even said anything ;).
Queen Li – Thanks! Glad you liked the "extended version" on aff.net. No extended scenes with this chapter, of course, but I'm thinking next one possibly….
