Disclaimer: Yadda, yadda, yadda…
When Hermione awoke in the Weasley house the next morning, she walked down the twisted staircase and into the warm kitchen. Molly looked up from the table and smiled graciously at her.
"Sleep well my dear?"
"Yes, I did, excellent in fact."
Molly smiled her Weasley smile, "Spot of breakfast perhaps?"
"Perfect! I'm starved!"
What started to be a 'spot of breakfast' quickly turned into the largest feast Hermione had ever seen. They chatted aimlessly when a screech was heard from outside.
"Oh my! Hermione open the door, Errol's come with the post!"
Hermione jumped from her chair and opened the door just in time for Errol to crash his way into the kitchen onto the table and into a very large bowl of baked beans. Molly acted as if nothing was out of the ordinary as Errol sat up and she picked the beans off of him. She looked through the stack of post and stopped immediately when she opened the Daily Prophet. She then looked at Hermione.
"I think you might want to see this."
Hermione cautiously took the paper from her hands, and as she read the headline, she sank into her chair. 'Viktor Krum now in Ministry custody for rape of ex-Hogwarts student' She didn't want to read anymore. She quickly scanned the article, and when she saw no mention of her name, she looked puzzled.
"At least they didn't put my name in it," she muttered to the red haired woman in front of her.
"I'm sure I know why, but I believe you might want these letters."
Hermione took the letters from her hands. One from Harry, one from Ginny, one from Ron, one from McGonagall, and then the one from Severus.
Dearest Hermione,
I know you said that you wanted some time to think, but there are a few things that need to be said and explained. Please join me as soon as possible. Fudge has sent me an owl.
Yours,
Severus
She wasn't exactly sure what to make of it. She looked at Molly Weasley and sighed deeply, maybe she hadn't told her everything. The matronly witch looked at her and put a kettle on, knowing there was more to Hermione's story than she had let on.
Hermione told her about her relationship with Severus. Instead of being faced with disapproval, Molly Weasley simply asked, "Do you love him? Is he good to you?"
"I don't know Mrs. Weasley, I really don't. I mean, part of him thanks him everyday for my being alive, the other part of me is scared of him."
Molly nodded at her as she sipped some tea, saying nothing, Hermione needed to work this one out on her own.
"He's been so kind and patient with me and God knows I've given him every chance to simply run out and be done with me. Yet, he still stays and waits. His patience is neverending and he just seems to know me. Better than I know myself sometimes. He's never made me uncomfortable. I want to trust him Mrs. Weasley I really do. But how do you get past this… feeling, that things are going to go bad, that the bottom is going to drop out at any moment? I mean, after all, he's a man, and they're all the same…."
Molly Weasley sat motionless for a few moments before responding. "Hermione, not all men are like Viktor. I promise you that. I went to school with Severus, he's a good man. He has his faults, they all do, but he does appear to love you."
"He says he wants to prove to me that I can trust him."
"Then let him, if he hasn't broken your trust up to this point, what makes you think he will now?"
"I don't know… fear? I don't want to get too close again. Sometimes, I just think it would be easier to just be alone, but then he makes me feel so… good, about life, about me, about us."
"I think you've answered your own question Hermione. I'll always be here, so will Ron, Harry, and Ginny. Do what your heart tells you, that's the best advice I can give you."
Hermione gave Molly Weasley a hug before grabbing a handful of floo powder and making her destination known. She was going back, she needed to work it out.
Severus had spent the last two days wandering around the halls of the castle. With no one to deduct points from, he walked about cursing randomly and insulting the paintings. When Hermione got back from her rooms, he was arguing with a painting near the Gryffindor entrance. Hermione quietly watched as he started to argue with the paintings.
"I say, I say!" said a painting of a young knight, "she is absolutely breathtaking! I think I'll ask her out myself when she returns. A knight so bold and fearless as myself, I could show her what a real man is all about!"
"You stupid man! What could she possibly see in a PAINTING! That's all you are! A silly painting!"
At that moment the Fat Lady chimed in, "A silly painting? How rude Sir! I cannot believe that you would speak to us in such a fashion. I suppose you go around and torment ghosts as well! Such an ungrateful man.. and all that we do for you!!!"
"Sod off Fat Lady! I wasn't talking to you!"
The knight broke back in, "Dare you insult my mother?"
"Your mother!??! You are a painting! You cannot have a mother!"
"I cannot believe that you would stoop so low… are you calling me a bastard? Those are fighting words!"
"I didn't call you a bastard! You aren't real… you're just a painting!"
"Well, you're just an ugly, old, bat-faced, despicable, git!"
"That's it! You are just a painting… an ugly, short, two dimensional, waste of space!"
"What?? What??" the painting guffawed as the knight puffed his chest out.
Snape walked closer to the painting in true testosterone style. "And you want to know what else? You're not even a good painting! Dumbledore should have taken you down years ago!"
"How dare you say such a thing! When I get down off this wall…"
"Get down off the wall!? You can't get down off the wall! That's why I'll win every time!"
"That's all I can take!" the knight in the painting took off his glove and slung it through the air in an attempt to provoke Snape to a duel.
Snape, clearly reaching the end of his tether said, "Are you challenging me?"
"I dare say I am! What weapon do you choose? I will of course have my sword!"
Snape started to turn around and walk away, but a devilish grin passed his face and he turned back to the knight.
"Alright, you have your sword.. and I'll have… acetone!"
At this point, Hermione couldn't take it any longer. She stepped around the corner and was crying from laughing so hard. The serious look left Severus' face as he looked at her.
"Hermione? How much of that did you just see?"
"I saw enough Severus, I saw enough. Honestly… threatening the poor man with acetone, that's low even for a ugly, old, bat-faced, despicable git."
"I'm glad you're back," he said to her with a smile, "care for some tea?"
A/N: I know that got a bit long, but I really had fun. The more I thought about Snape arguing with the paintings, the funnier it got… my roommate worries about my mental well-being now. Make me feel it's worthwhile and review… :)
