Chapter 3: Catching up with the Gryffs
With the sun fully set, Harry and Draco made their way down to the kitchens. Sticking to hidden hallways and abandoned corridors, the trip took them a little longer than usual. The benefits, however (which included the ability to catch small kisses and continually hold hands), were foremost on the two boys minds. Upon reaching the bowl of fruit, tickling the pear, and arranging dinner with Dobby, our two young lovers set out on a moonlit picnic.
******
The Gryffindor's had decided to retire early, as there was the next day was a Hogsmead day and they all wanted to be rested and ready for a day full of sugar, except for Ron and Hermione. Ron was in his dorm room, contemplating life and growing up (or whatever it is that teen boys think of when not thinking of girls). He was feeling a little left out. Harry, he suspected, had found someone. Hermione was obviously in love with someone, even though she didn't seem to know who it was, Ginny was dating some 6th year Hufflepuff, and even Neville had someone. Everyone had their own lives, and he was alone.
Not that Ron was necessarily looking for someone. He quite enjoyed being single. Having someone there for you all the time would be nice, but there wasn't enough freedom in that. He couldn't quite put his finger on what it was that he was looking for, however. He wanted to explore the world, he wasn't rich and certainly couldn't afford that, he had no ideas of a future career, either. He knew he didn't want to work in the Ministry, either for his father or for anyone else. He didn't want to be and auror, he didn't want to teach. What was left for a wizard? He had briefly contemplated going and living in the Muggle world, but was weary of something that was completely new. How could he survive in a world without magic? He thought that he could do it, but didn't want to try by himself.
He found himself right at the beginning of his thought process. He was alone. If he was honest with himself, what would make him happiest would be to stay at home raising his children. At one point he thought he and Hermione would end up together. She would want to work, and he could stay home. That had fallen through, and now he couldn't figure which direction was right for him. Wizards were fairly open as far as sexuality went, but for the man to stay home in any relationship (even if was male/male) was still frowned upon. Most gay couples both worked, while a hired woman or a female relative raised their children. Ron wasn't terribly concerned about who he might end up with, guy or girl, just that he would be happy with that person.
Ron had, recently, decided that he would actively look for someone. His nervous nature was mollified by the discovery of a wizard dating service. It was quite simple. You filled out a form with roughly 50 questions, then waited for an answer to be sent to you with possible matches. He expected to receive the reply tomorrow at breakfast, and thus he was spending so much energy thinking about the future.
The moon was shining down full force now, and Ron's eyes were getting heavy. Out of barely open lashes he saw two angels, one blond and one brunette, walking hand in hand through the field below. He knew everything would be alright, for if two beings of perfection could find happiness on such a night, so could he.
******
Hermione, a young witch with too much brain and aspiration for one of her age, required time alone from time to time. She loved her dorm mates, but their giggling and nail painting got to her after a while. She was never allowed to sit alone when they were all there. And, since the 6th years had joined in tonight, she felt that this was the perfect time to escape. So, here she was, sitting in a window seat at the end of an abandoned corridor on the 4th floor, thinking about feelings that she previously was unaware of.
Severus Snape. Where had he come from? At what point had he gone from foe to friend? As she had gotten older she had been accepted into the order, but only as a student. She was not allowed to go on missions, but was allowed to help in preparations. Numerous times she had been called upon to help Snape in his lab. Perhaps it was here that she had begun to think about him in a different way? With no students around he was nicer, although still stand-offish. She supposed that was something that would not change. He was guarded in his actions, and in his personality. Having to constantly live two lives would do that to a person, she supposed. It was certainly not something she wished to ever try.
The desire to get to know the potions professor had surprised her more than she had thought it would. But there was nothing that seemed wrong with it.
"Miss Granger?" Soft, almost too soft. For a moment she had thought it only her imagination, then caught herself and turned to look at the speaker.
"Professor Snape. How are you this evening?"
"Fine, thank you. Why, may I ask, are you sitting here? Surely your friends must be looking for you?" Long conversations during potions brewing had brought their relationship to a new level. Pleasant, one might say. They could talk about things, neither being embarrassed by what was said or not said, but was kept only between them.
"I doubt that. Ron has been a bit odd lately, and wanted to be by himself, and I have no idea where Harry is. He seems to be disappearing a lot lately. Have you noticed as well? He doesn't seem to be very attentive to anything any more."
"Well, as you should know, Miss Granger, I rarely see him outside of potions, and he is never very attentive there." A smile spread across his cheeks, and his eyes twinkled with amusement. Hermione found this adorable, but refused to tell him so. She doubted he would enjoy the fact that his eyes could twinkle, that was something that only Dumbledore was allowed to do. Hermione quickly returned the smile. "You should do that more often."
"Do what?"
"Smile. You look very nice when you do."
"Thank you. So should you. Unfortunately, you seem to be the only person who can make me smile lately. Perhaps I should just spend more time with you?" She was suddenly unsure if she should be blushing or not. Had she meant that? Yes, she supposed, she had.
"Perhaps you should." Snape stared out the window for a moment. "Would, ... ummm... would you like to come for a walk with me? To, to look for students! Or, perhaps not." He turned slowly around, not looking up once, then began to walk back down the hall.
"Professor?" Snape stopped and turned back around, his head still hung in embarrassment. "I would love to go for a walk with you. On one condition. You must call me Hermione, at least while we are alone. All of this 'Miss Granger' stuff makes me feel old."
"Truly? Then Hermione it is. You must call me Severus then. It is only fair." He smiled shyly at saying that. Hermione smiled back at him, stood and took his arm.
"Where shall we scout first?"
"Perhaps the sixth floor, on the east side?"
"Do you honestly think anyone will be up there?"
"No, does it matter?"
"Absolutely not. Sixth floor it is. I am glad you ran into me this evening, Severus. You have put me in a much better mood."
"And I am glad to have found you."
******
End of Chapter 3
