This one's for everyone who's got me on a favourites or author alert list! (I just found out what those are, I was fiddling with the settings on my profile). I'm on five favourites lists and ten author alerts lists! How cool is that?! Made my week, I tell you.
Specifically, I'd like to say 'hi' and 'thanks' to hippiechick7897, hand3, GISingerJayne, and Ruby Malfoy, my first reviewers on this story!
To Ruby: I'd love to have more action, believe me, but remember, this all predates 'If Life Were Normal What Would We Do For Fun?' in which Remus and Hermione hook up. I'm writing another story on the side (which will probably never see the light of day) which has more action in it because even I feel sorry for these characters never getting any. I worked in some light stuff here for our friends but there's no full-on intercourse, so don't expect it. Which is not to say they don't have fun…I did what I could, sorry.
Right, chapter two.
--aimes
Hermione settled properly into the armchair.
"I'm…good," she replied taking a sip of her wine. Ouch, that was terrible grammar. He waited for her to continue without comment.
"I've survived, against all odds…and I'm happy…it was difficult being back for a couple of weeks, but I got over that quickly. Draco really helped me. So did Ron and Ginny and Harry. It's just…I don't know…after everything, graduation feels sort of…"
"Anticlimactic?" He offered.
"Yes. Is that silly?" Hermione looked up at him.
"No," Snape replied simply. He paused. "Is there anything else preying on your mind, Hermione?" Oooh. Perceptive bugger…where to begin?
"Where shall I go after this? I thought I would want to be a healer or pursue higher education, but none of that feels right at the moment. I mean I could go back to my parents' home and decide from there, but…"
"Albus and I have discussed that very issue. We feel you would be a great help to the Order…perhaps you should consider it. You would remain at Headquarters or here until it is decided how your talents can best be utilized. How do you feel about such a thing?"
"That sounds…perfect, actually. I want to be involved…I have a very personal stake in this war," she noted. A personal stake by the name of Dayrin Lestrange. Her fingers tingled and she rubbed them absently as she was wont to do. Snape noticed the activity and knew she was remembering her weeks with Lestrange. He frowned at the memory.
"Yes, I recall. You will meet Lupin at the train station in three days. He will take you back to the Headquarters."
"Oh," Hermione said, more to herself than him. Snape watched her carefully, nodding to himself. Remus.
"Tomorrow you shall meet with a former…student…who will be aiding us," Snape continued. Hermione noticed that his voice had gone slightly wooden and he was staring into the fire.
Interesting.
"Sir?"
"Hmm?"
"Can I ask you a question?"
"That depends on how impertinent it is," he warned.
"It's not about you," she assured him.
"Then by all means feel free," he allowed with a slight smile.
"This is weird, but I've got no one else to go to. I've developed…feelings for someone. Idiot that I am. But…I know he's not right for me. And I've tried ignoring the feelings and forgetting about it like a smart girl; unfortunately it's not working."
"Hmm…yes…being in love with Lupin could be a problem," he said thoughtfully. Hermione turned beet red and began to stutter.
"I—uh—well—I know it's not a—appropriate," she managed as she got ready to make a run for the door.
Snape shrugged eloquently. "It rarely is, Hermione. I think we can make an exception for you. After all you've been through, no one expects you to fall for Weasley or Longbottom."
"Thank the gods," she muttered.
"Perhaps you should consider telling him. I'm not the authority in these matters, but I do know that beating around the bush as muggles say is pointless. If you are meant to be together or have a fling or whatnot, it will happen despite anything you might say or do."
"You believe in fate?" Hermione asked with surprise.
"I believe the universe will bully you into whatever you deem least appropriate for yourself," he replied wryly.
"Your life is a cosmic joke, get used to being the punchline," Hermione summed it up.
"More or less."
"Great, so what do I do?"
"You will have plenty of time to decide when you are staying at the Headquarters," he assured her.
"Thanks," she said sarcastically.
"Indeed. Are you feeling better, Miss Granger?"
"Yeah, I could fall asleep. Thanks Severus. Whatever you laced this wine with is good stuff."
"Indeed. I suggest you floo back to your quarters to avoid the drunken students that will invariably be littering your common room floor. I do not envy the house elves come morning."
"Yeah, seriously. Thanks, Severus." Hermione rose and hugged him tightly. He hugged her back.
"Goodnight, Hermione."
Hermione went to the fireplace and threw in floo powder. "Head Girl's rooms!" She stepped into the fire with one last wave and disappeared.
Snape watched her leave, staring at the fire long after she left, nursing his wine.
Hermione reappeared in her rooms and stumbled into bed, shedding her robe and slippers as she went. She tumbled into bed with a sigh and fell asleep within moments.
"Bushy!"
Hermione woke a split second before Draco landed on her and rolled off to the side holding her tightly.
"We talked and we're going to see each other again and we kissed and…fireworks!"
"Mmm…that's great, Draco," Hermione mumbled with a sleepy smile.
"What about you? Any fireworks? I know you snuck off to see Severus last night."
It took Hermione a moment to process the implication.
"UGH!!! DRACO!!! You've got to be kidding me," Hermione groaned, still not opening her eyes. "He and I talked about my plans for the future because I couldn't sleep. I'll be working for the Order…I'm not interested in him."
"Who are you interested in?" he persisted.
"Oh Lord, who would have thought?" Hermione sighed.
"Thought what?" Figures he'd be the sort…
"That you'd be one of those terrible people who try to impose the joy you've found in love upon your poor single friends. Let it go, Draco, I'm not looking for anything right now." She gave a wicked mental smile. "I'm not ready." Works every time. In five, four, three, two…
"I'm so sorry, Bushy, I should think about that sort of thing, shouldn't I? Anyways, you should get up and get dressed, we're supposed to meet with our advisors today for our 'career counseling.'"
"What a bloody stupid idea. I mean, you're going to be a spy, I'm going to be a bum, and Harry's going to save the world. Of course, afterwards, we should probably have jobs…" she mused.
"Right. And on that note, get dressed, Slytherins have been tossed in with the Gryffindors…what's left of us, anyways."
Hermione grunted, rolled out of bed, and padded to the bathroom. This is going to be one of those terrible long days that never end, isn't it? Of course, that's every day.