Disclaimer: All of the usual characters from 'Harry Potter' belong to J. K. Rowling, blah, blah, blah, everybody knows this already.
Summary: When Severus visits Italy with Hermione during the summer, he finds that the muggle way of life is a lot more interesting than he would've expected.
How Much You Never Knew
Chapter 4; The new Fire Nimbus!
It was the morning of the last day that Hermione would spend at Hogwarts as a sixth year. She had prolonged waking up, and slept as late as possible, but realized quickly that it was time to exit her dream and enter her nightmare. She swung her feet out of bed and dragged herself to the bathroom. She actually had had a dream, and struggled to recall it's events. Then, upon looking in the mirror, it all came crashing back to her. She had been at the villa with Professor Snape and they had been...dancing? Dancing like...nutters, over by the lake. Well, something to that effect.
Looking at her reflection, she told herself seriously, "You know, you might just find yourself liking the man after a while." Then she grinned. "Hah! I found myself loathing the man after a week!" She didn't know exactly what Dumbledore was pulling, but she did know that things would never, ever work out.
A bit later, when Hermione had gotten herself completely packed, Professor McGonagall's voice magically magnified throughout the whole school saying,
"All library books must be returned before you leave on the train home. I repeat, all library books must be returned before you leave on the train home." Hermione then remembered that she still hadn't returned her 'etiquette' book, and took the time to do so before she forgot again.
Professor Snape had heard the message as well, and decided that he best return Moste Potente Potions to the library, due to the fact that he wouldn't have access to it all summer. That thought sent a lurching feeling through his stomach that he could almost say he was used to by now. All summer, all summer, all summer, mwahahahaha!
Hermione's library visit had been delayed, since Harry and Ron had begged her to return their books as well. They just couldn't stop right in the middle of a chess game to take a book to the library! Sighing, she agreed, and found herself balancing four heavy books to take back. Nearly at her destination, she looked down to read the covers of the boy's books. 'Quidditch and You,' 'The Ultimate Guide to Quidditch Techniques,' and of course 'Quidditch do's and don'ts.' Figures, she thought. She had just advanced toward the threshold when the library door opened and smacked her flat on her ass.
Severus had just returned his book to the restricted section and was leaving the library when he opened the door and knocked a student down, scattering her books everywhere. Upon looking closer, he noticed that it was Miss Granger. He was momentarily startled, but recovered quickly, seeing her begin to compose herself.
"Uh... Miss Granger, here, please let me help you." She paled, highly embarrassed.
"Oh, that's okay, I'm just clumsy."
"No, I insist." He almost handed her the book that had flown the farthest, but seeing the title, he opened it, interested. How to Tolerate the Intolerable, hmmm, interesting. The chapters consisted of information such as 'What to do when you have unexpected company,' 'How to befriend those you don't, and never have liked,' 'When to hold your tongue,' and 'How to restrain from murdering your dinner guests.' Though this was obviously an insult to him, he suddenly felt... guilty. At least she was trying to figure a way to... well, befriend him was a bit far fetched, but accept him worked. All he had done was piss and moan. He gave the book back to her.
"I guess I'm the one who's laid this burden upon you, am I not, Miss Granger?"
She looked at her feet, flushing--yet not in an infatuated way. "Professor, I..." He held his hand up.
"There's no need to explain. I know I've never been that of a... compassionate teacher."
She gazed up at him, realizing for the first time that he looked... different. Not as menacing as before. But... what had changed? She suddenly relaxed. "What about as a person? Just as a person in general?"
He sighed. "I'm not entirely sure, but for both our sake's, I'll try my best to make your family like me. I do intend on returning to Hogwarts next year alive."
She offered a small smile. "Of course, and...thank you... Professor." He was almost stunned, but nevertheless nodded. "Um... Professor?" she asked.
"Yes, Miss Granger?"
"Well, I was just curious, where are we meeting when the train stops at King's Cross Station? We are going on the train, aren't we? Just to get to London, I mean."
"Yes, we are. I'll be in the last compartment, so just meet me at the back of the train, where the luggage is dispensed." She nodded, and he left, his cloak swirling behind him. She couldn't help but stare in shock at his retreating form. Was it only her, or had he just attempted to be civil! Then, remembering she was not a fish, she closed her mouth and went to return her books.
Severus, only just barely realizing how absurd his previous actions were, stopped to lean up against the wall and laugh at himself. Inwardly, of course. What was this world coming to? The most hilarious part of all this was thinking of how flabbergasted Miss Granger must be by now. She had probably gaped at him, and might still be gaping at what was him only moments before. Well, no matter. It wasn't as if the world was ending because of his formality. If anything, this was supposed to happen. Severus knew that Albus would prefer their relationship to be this way. Even if it did mean that he would have to stoop to the level of one of his students.
Finally it was time. The train was moving, and Hogwarts was going...going...gone. Hermione glanced over at Harry, who was staring at his disappearing home. Ron passed him a chocolate frog.
"Come on, Harry. At least you're not going back to those dung bombs this summer. And Dad's snagged tickets to the World Quidditch Cup again this year!" Harry brightened up considerably.
"Seriously?" He asked, his mouth open.
"Honestly, Harry, would I joke about something that important?" They instantly became immersed in a conversation about Wonky Faints, or whatever they were. Hermione hated seeing Harry so glum, and was glad that Ron had tried his best to cheer him up, but the happier Harry got, the sulkier Hermione became. She wouldn't mind going to the World Quidditch Cup, but she couldn't, because she was stuck with The Professor! And all things muggle to accompany them.
But then, had he not been nice at the library today? Okay, maybe nice was an over-statement, but he had gotten dangerously close. She knew that feeling sorry for herself wasn't exactly the best pastime, and began repeating mantras in her head.
Things are only as bad as you make them out to be.
Do or do not, there is no try.
You become successful by helping others become successful.
We can't spell sccess without U.
Okay, this was getting lame. Looking out the window, she began to space out, trying to imagine what the summer might be like. Every once in a while, she caught glimpses of the boy's conversation.
Oliver Wood... something broom... fire nimbus (huh?)... Malfoy... Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Severus sat in the last compartment of the train, just as he said he would, trying to hold down his lunch. The train was slowing down and his stomach began doing flip flops. He wasn't a nervous man for say, but frightening thoughts had crept into his mind over the course of the all day train ride. Night was falling by the time he began thinking things like 'What if she has tons and tons of family and they try to smother you, Severus? How will you escape? What if you can't? What if the villa is so small you never get a moment's peace or privacy? What if those party freaks make you dance! What if you've already lost all chance of having Miss Granger's support, that she leaves you to be bombarded by her crazy uncles? Wait, does she even have any uncles?' Realizing that this circle of thoughts was getting him nowhere, as he wasn't receiving any answers, he contented himself with looking out the window until now. The train had come to a full halt, and he grudgingly left his seat to wait for Miss Granger. He went to the back of the train, and grabbed a medium sized, black leather trunk out of the storage compartment. Then he stood out of the way, as not to be trampled by the many students that were coming towards him. His trunk was the kind that expanded on the inside to the size of a large closet. Unwillingly, he had stuffed the bag of clothes Minerva had bought him in there, grateful for her concern but still unhappy with the thought that he might actually have to wear something from it. Then, he saw her coming...
Hermione had just woken from another incredibly strange dream, but thankfully, she knew what had brought this one about. Harry and Ron's conversation must have leaked into her mind while she was sleeping, because she had dreamed of them all--including Malfoy and Wood--flying on one broom stick, the new Fire Nimbus! Huh, as if such a broom existed! More so, like she'd jump on a broom with Draco Malfoy. Would all five of them even fit on one broom! The dream was undeniably stupid. Finally, the train came to a halt, and after exchanging sentimental goodbye's with Harry and Ron, she left to get her luggage. She had just pulled it out of storage when she heard a deep voice behind her ask,
"Are we ready, Miss Granger?"
