From the Bottle
By Sarah Sparrow
Synopsis: Hermione signs up for a dating service, and is suddenly caught in a tangled web of angst, love, and sarcastic humour. RW/HG, DM/HG, HP/GW, and even HG/SS...Granger's gotten herself into a bit of trouble...
Author's Note: Oh my Johnny, it's finally my second fanfiction! I thought this day would never come. And, lo and behold, it's Harry Potter! Yeah, so maybe that's a pretty popular theme. It's special to me, okay?! Thank you. Anyways. The extremely twisted plot was thought up one night in 45 degree weather, while I was being swarmed by mosquitoes and getting a bath by my dog's tongue. It might be a little interesting, to put it lightly. I also have only the faintest idea of how this will all end up, so apologies if quite a bit of editing goes on before the next chapter is posted.
And now, without further delay, I give you...
From the Bottle
Hermione Granger knew she wasn't beautiful. In fact, she didn't even think she had been remotely attractive until she had gotten her teeth shrunk back in third year. And then when Victor Krum had asked to her to the Yule Ball in fourth year, her spirits had risen to amazing heights. Maybe you didn't have to be beautiful. Maybe being sort of pretty was good enough. It was Victor Krum, after all!
And then Harry had told her Ron fancied her last summer. She had known since the Yule Ball, at some level, but hadn't really been willing to admit it to herself. She suspected that a boyfriend would be trouble, and she didn't think she was ready for that serious of a relationship yet. It would surely take time away from her studying, and with the NEWTs coming up, she just couldn't afford any distractions. It was for the best. Even if she hurt Ron's feelings. Besides, hadn't it been her who'd told him he had the emotional range of a teaspoon? Who wanted a boyfriend like that? He could go date that Fleur whatever-her-name-was for all Hermione cared.
And yet, she couldn't help thinking, what if it wasn't all that bad?
Hogsmeade seemed rather dull and gloomy that Saturday. Hermione sat with Harry in the Three Broomsticks, sipping a butter beer and frowning. Usually the pleasant drink helped her cheer up, but today was different. Today Ron wasn't there.
He had been hinting at asking Hermione on a date to Hogsmeade, but Hermione had played dumb and said "But, Ron, we always go to Hogsmeade together. What do you mean, without Harry? He's not sick or anything." Eventually, a downhearted Ron had left the common room, and a troubled Hermione had collapsed in front of the fire.
He had gone and asked Lavender the very next day.
So now the trio was only a duet, and the gloomy companions strolled along the streets of Hogsmeade, not really looking in any of the shops they stopped at, not really enjoying the butter beer they were now drinking, both thinking of something that wasn't there.
"Hermione?"
A quiet voice interrupted Hermione's blue stupor, and for a moment she hopefully thought it was Ron, saying he had broken it off with Lavender and decided he was better with them after all. But, of course, it was only Harry, and Hermione turned to him with a small smile. She should've known any way. Ron never called her by her full name. Always 'Mione, while Harry was so formal. "Sorry, Harry. Just thinking about- er…Just thinking."
"About Ron?" He returned the smile, green eyes shining with silent laughter.
Hermione blushed, and then sobered. "It's not right here, without him."
"You never seemed to sad when I had to be somewhere else and you two were here alone." He was half serious, half teasing.
"Oh, we missed you Harry, really, we did! It's just, you were never…" She drifted off uncertainly.
"I was never Ron," he finished for her. "You and Ron have always liked each other, even if you fight; in fact, that's probably something to do with it. I don't get why you kept warding him off, Hermione." He frowned at her, but in confusion, not sadness.
Surprising them both, Hermione didn't protest. "I don't know," she mumbled, stirring her drink with her pinkie finger. "I'm just…nervous. About having a-" she blushed, "boyfriend and all. I mean, what if it ruins our friendship? What if he breaks my heart?"
Harry laughed and Hermione stared at him. She was trying to be serious, pouring her heart out to him, and he was mocking her!
Harry saw anger clouding her face and he quieted down. "Sorry, Hermione," he said, still chuckling. "You sounded like some soap opera star. Very un-Hermione. But, really, if you want my honest opinion, I think you should have started dating a long time ago. There, I've said it, that's all my wisdom. No charge, though, because you're a friend and all." He gave her his signature lopsided grin, and she couldn't help but grin back.
Harry had always been a good friend, even if he could lose his temper at times. But, then, who could blame him after all he'd been through? And, after Sirius's death, he had become a bit quieter, his temper more of a silent glare and un-talkative coolness, which was surprisingly harder to bear than the yelling. Hermione almost wished he would go back to his old way of venting his rage. But, nevertheless, he still could make her laugh with his dry humour, and he had become surprisingly good looking. All those years of quidditch had paid off, and he was a bit more muscle than unhealthy thinness. His messy black hair was charming in a rogue, 'Sirius' sort of way, and he had taken to running his hand through it absently when he was thinking, just like his father, or so she had heard. His eyes were still a brilliant emerald green, and his smile was true and cheerful. Hermione sometimes wondered why she fancied Ron instead of Harry, the Boy Who Lived.
But, then again, Ron had developed into quite a handsome person as well, with his fiery red hair curling at the nape of his neck, and his bright blue eyes always warm and alluring.
"Oh," Hermione whispered, smiling faintly.
"What is it?" Harry asked. She had drifted off again, and this was the first noise she had made in several long minutes.
"I just realized," she said, her smile growing, "I must be friends with two of the most good looking boys in school."
Harry blinked, and then an enormous grin spread across his face and he burst into a loud, merry peel of laughter, making heads turn and look at him in dismay. Hermione started laughing too, and soon they were both wiping tears from their eyes and grinning foolishly at each other across the table. Maybe the day wouldn't be so bad after all.
The day was, in fact, quite enjoyable, and the two companions were excellent company for each other. Hermione was even a bit sorry when it ended and they had to meet Ron and go back to school. She hadn't thought about him all day.
"Hurry up, Hermione, we're going to be late." Harry tapped his foot impatiently as Hermione paid the woman at Honeydukes and pocketed her candy. She was about to reply to Harry when a store across the street caught her eye. Magi-Date, read the sign, and below it, the dating service for lonely witches and wizards everywhere.
"Hermione?" Harry asked curiously, wondering what she was staring at.
A thousand thoughts raced through her head at once. A dating service. Lonely witches and wizards…Ron. Ron and Lavender. Ron and Lavender... "Erm, you- you go ahead, Harry. I'll catch you up. I think I might…I just remembered my aunt's birthday. Have to buy her something. I'll meet you back at school."
Harry eyed her suspiciously, and then shrugged. "Okay, bye then." He dashed out to meet Ron, and Hermione, after making sure he was around the corner, walked out into the chilly December air, across the street and into the store.
She came out five minutes later, feeling both extremely pleased and extremely disgusted with herself.
Two heads glanced up as Hermione entered into the common room, smiling eagerly and calling out greetings. Hermione nodded and returned their smiles, rushing up to the girls' dormitories to change and put away her packages.
Ron hadn't been with Lavender. She couldn't even see Lavender in the common room, for that matter. For some reason that made her feel very light and bubbly. She walked back down to the common room with a silly grin and dry clothes.
"What're you smiling about?" was the first thing Ron said to her.
"Oh, very polite, how about a 'how was your day?' or 'my, what a lovely jumper, Hermione!' " She glared jokingly at him.
He rolled his eyes and said in an exaggeratingly cheerful voice, "How was your day? My, what a lovely jumper, Hermione!"
"It was perfectly splendid, thanks, and I'm not wearing a jumper, you git." She punched him lightly in the shoulder and sat down on the side of the chessboard they were playing on. "Who's winning?"
"Ron," Harry sighed, scowling. Ron smiled brightly in return.
"There's no point in playing anyways," Hermione said with exasperation.
"Why, because Ron will pulverize me?" Harry asked sourly.
"No, because it's vulgar and barbaric," Hermione replied. "Exactly," Ron said firmly at the same time.
All three exchanged rolled eyes. "Honestly," Hermione muttered, and turned to her knitting. She had improved since fifth year, with the hats for the elves, and was now making clothes for herself, but only accessories like the scarf she was currently working on. Trying to sound casual, she asked, "How was the day with Lavender?"
Ron shrugged. "Okay, I suppose."
"That's it?" Harry asked.
"What's it?" Ron replied, his brow furrowed.
"You're not going to share the play-by-play of you two holding hands and strolling down the snow-covered side walks, flirting madly and then snogging romantically in some shadowy side alley?" Harry tilted his head, grinning.
Ron shot a nasty look at him, then shrugged again. "It was boring. She just talked on and on about some book she's been reading and Parvati's problems with Seamus. I don't understand why girls even care about other people's relationships. She kept asking me about you two, but I just said you were doing fine and let her keep talking. She could go on for hours, honestly."
Hermione felt positively golden after that negative little summary, and smiled at her work.
"Hermione doesn't go on about other people's relationships," Harry commented, ordering a bishop to move. Ron's queen immediately smashed it into bits.
"That's what I like about her," Ron replied, smiling at the baffled Harry. "She can just concentrate on her own relationships."
Something about the way Ron said 'her own relationships' made Hermione's spine tingle. She peaked at him out of the corner of her eye to find that he was giving her an unreadable look. "Of course I can concentrate on my own relationships," Hermione said, swallowing. "Especially right now, when I need to." What made me say that?! She asked herself worriedly.
"What's so special about right now?" Ron asked coolly.
Hermione stared holes into her knitting, feeling the blush creep up neck and inflame her cheeks. "Nothing…I don't know."
Harry suddenly stood. "Bloody hell, my detention!" He dashed out of the common room with a quick wink at Hermione.
Ron and her both stared after him in amazement for a minute, then glanced uneasily at each other. Harry really did have detention, Snape had given him a whole week's worth, even on the weekend, but Hermione desperately wished it were an hour later. Perhaps she would throttle Snape in his sleep tonight.
"Good thing he remembered," Hermione mumbled, trying hard to concentrate on the scarf. She was blushing for no reason now. No reason at all.
They sat for another half hour, maybe longer, Hermione couldn't tell, she knitting, and him staring absently just above her head. Then, startling her, he said her name.
"Hermione-" he moved to face her instead of the chessboard. "Could we, err, talk?"
Hermione blushed even brighter, lightly moved her scarf to the side, and forced herself to look him in the eye. "Of course, Ron."
He nodded, then opened and closed his mouth several times, unsure. Finally he managed to speak. "'Mione, erm, I've been…wondering- a- a while…We've been friends for a long time, right?"
"Yes," She said quietly, quite sure she knew where this was leading. Her pulse quickened.
"And, well, maybe, d'you think, we're not…just friends any more?" He gave her an anxious, searching look.
She was about to say 'What do you mean?' and pretend she was confused like she always did. But she knew exactly what he was asking, and fooling him again would be cruel and unfair, especially when she had almost led him on. "I…" She looked at her feet, begging Merlin for some words. "Maybe," She whispered, almost so Ron couldn't hear her, but he did, and just by the single word he gained hope.
He went on quickly. "I mean, if you don't think so, that's fine, but I was just thinking- just wondering- because, well, I've…Yes…I-" his voice lowered so the rest of the common room couldn't hear him, and he said, with a blush, "I really like you, Mi- Hermione."
Hermione's heart fluttered, and for a moment she was afraid she was going to swoon, but she recovered, and looked up again. Ron was no longer blushing, but pale with anxiety beneath his freckles.
She used to count them, when he wasn't looking, trying to remember just how many he had, so she wouldn't forget, if for some reason she ever needed to know. Of course, she wouldn't, but she wanted to count them, just in case.
To her horror, she realized she couldn't get any words out. Ron was staring at her as though her answer would mean his life or death, and she couldn't say a thing! She opened her mouth, but was silent.
Ron leaned back a bit, then stood, blushing as red as his hair. "Sorry," he muttered, "I shouldn't have said-"
Hermione's mind raced frantically. He thought she didn't like him! He was leaving! Go, stop him, say something, she thought frantically. For Christ's sake, he's walking away!
Hermione jumped to her feet and grabbed Ron's hand as he was turning away. He stared at their hands, and then at her in bewilderment.
Dammit, Granger! She couldn't say anything, so she did the only thing she could do. She put her other hand on his cheek and kissed him.
Ron was completely still for several seconds, then, with a sudden wave of his arms, he crushed her in a tight embrace and returned the kiss hard.
Hermione felt warmth rushing through her, and her body tingled. Far away, she heard the common room go completely silent, but she didn't really care. Slowly, uncertainly, she slid her arms around the small of his back. She felt him smile against the kiss, and, assured, she held him tighter.
Then, Hermione realized several people were clapping, and then there was whistling and hooting, and she and Ron both pulled back quickly. Ron held on to Hermione's hand though, making her blush brightly as everyone grinned at them, Seamus and Dean whistling loudly, Neville smiling knowingly and Ginny laughing. Then Harry stepped in from the portrait of the Fat lady, and, seeing Ron and Hermione, laughed and shouted, "About time!"
"Shut up, Harry," Ron muttered, smiling shyly, then turning to Hermione. "You…you want to go for a walk?"
"Sure," she said breathlessly, and they strolled out of the common room hand in hand.
Severus was furiously scribbling a note to the headmaster when his next class started filing in. He looked up and groaned quietly. He had forgotten whom he taught on Friday. It was the sixth year Slytherins and Gryffindors. This was, by far, his least favourite class.
Quickly stuffing the note in a desk drawer, he flicked his hair out of his face and glared at them as they took their seats. Naturally, Potter and his friends were some of the last to enter, and, to Severus's horror, he saw that Granger and Weasley were holding hands. Rubbing his temple, he swore under his breath.
When the class was seated and quiet, staring at him expectantly, he slowly stood and walked around his desk, searching his mind for some mentally distilling speech or another. None came.
The Slytherins were all sniggering and glancing at the Gryffindors, particularly Granger and Weasley. Severus didn't have the ability to teach this class today. Merlin knew he couldn't even manage to open his mouth without wanting to hex them all. He was extremely close to just to announcing that class was cancelled, but caught himself. That would attract too much attention from Albus. Merlin also knew he didn't need any more of that.
With another glare, he flicked his wand at the black board and a set of instructions appeared. "Get to work," he snapped. "And kindly refrain from making any noise."
Sensing his bad mood, the students started working quickly, and in complete silence. Almost.
Severus, still standing at the front of the class, was only too aware of the hushed giggling and conversation, coming from somewhere in the midst of the Gryffindors. He scanned them with narrowed eyes. Ah, yes, he thought cynically. The happy couple.
"Granger, Weasley, I believe I asked you to refrain from making any noise." Two faces looked up at him nervously. "That'll be-" he was about to talk a small sum of points, ten or so, when he saw they were still holding hands under the desk. "-Fifty points."
The Gryffindors all looked up in shock and indignation, while the Slytherins smiled in sadistic glee. "But sir-" Granger started, flushing angrily.
Severus cut her off. "This is a potions class, Miss Granger, not Madame Puddifoot's. Keep your hands where I can see them and concentrate on the assigned work."
The Slytherins hooted with laughter as both Weasley and Granger jerked their hands apart and, red with embarrassment, put them on the desk. But, apparently Granger wasn't finished. "Sir, fifty points is-"
"Detention-" he stalled. Today was a staff meeting. Tomorrow he had the bloody… "-on Monday, Granger, and if I hear another word come out of your already too large mouth, it'll be for a week." She immediately shut it.
Severus went behind his desk and pulled the note to Albus out again, staring blankly at it. He had no idea what else to say. There had to be some way to get himself out of this, besides suicide. Or homicide, for that matter. The potions master thought back to that morning, wincing in mental pain.
Flashback
Severus was sitting at the staff table in the great hall, inattentively chewing on a piece of cold toast and reading the Daily Prophet, while keeping a wary eye on the doors. He was watching for any sort of movement, trying to listen over the bustle and chatter of the students for footsteps outside the hall, even though he knew the attempt was completely pointless.
He was almost positive he had just seen movement and was preparing to make a dash out the staff entrance, when a mass of brown and white feathers blocked his vision and landed right on his plate, knocking over his flask of pumpkin juice and spilling it all over his paper. "What the- dammit, bloody…owl!"
He tossed the soggy paper to the side and struggled to subdue his winged attacker. He only managed to pluck a cream-coloured envelope from the bird's beak before it flew off, dipping and twirling, out of the hall.
Tossing his hair out of his face, he glowered at the several students who were watching and giggling, and then turned his attention to the envelope. There didn't seem to be anything suspicious about it, just a plain square with the words 'Severus Snape, Hogwarts' scrawled in untidy printing on the front. It wasn't sealed, so he flipped it open and pulled out a folded piece of parchment with a small coffee stain near the corner.
He unfolded it curiously, and his eyes bulged as he read the first line:
Congratulations,
Sevrus Snape
You're going on a magi-date!
Magi-date, the service for lonely witches and wizards everywhere, has selected you as our next magi-dater! Your entry form was chosen from the thousands of eager witches and wizards that submit every day, looking for love! We have paired you with a witch/wizard who matches your interests, and found the ideal spot for your date!
Your date is…
The letter went on to tell him that the 'magi-date' was at some fancy restaurant in Hogsmeade, what time to be there, and that he should dress up nice for his 'mystery witch/wizard', then finishing with the catchphrase 'You'll fall in love so quickly, it'll be like magic! Magi-date!'
Severus glared at the letter in silent fury. Firstly, they had spelt his name like a two-year old, secondly, here on earth did these people get the idea he had signed up for a dating service?! And thirdly, they were gits.
Suddenly, he felt very vulnerable. If anyone saw that he had gotten a letter from a dating service, his reputation would be at stake. His reputation was all he had left to survive on.
He reread the letter several times, sure there must have been a mistake. But the name Sevrus Snape didn't change, and the parchment didn't burst into flame and destroy itself like he was hoping. It just stayed there in his sweating palms, Severus staring at it like it was a snake preparing to strike.
Finally, his senses recovered (somewhat), and he started to fold the parchment up again, deciding no one would have to know, and he wouldn't have to go on this stupid date. He was just about to stick it back in the envelope when a voice sounded right next to his ear. "Well, Severus, I didn't know you had it in you!"
Severus started violently, tipping his chair backwards and swearing angrily. Behind him, setting his chair upright with a kindly smile, was the exact person he'd been trying to avoid earlier. "Damn you, Albus," Severus snapped, pushing his chair back again and standing, seeking the little comfort of facing the headmaster on his feet. One needed all limbs available to manage a conversation with Albus Dumbledore.
"No need to be vulgar, my friend!" Albus said, raising his hands defensively. "I only meant to congratulate you. When is it, exactly? You folded up the letter before I could get to that part."
"I- Well- it's on the sixth but that's-" He was about to say 'none of your business' when Albus interrupted him again.
"Splendid, splendid. I wasn't aware you were part of a dating service? There are sides of you I have yet to glimpse, Severus. Most interesting."
Severus stared dumbly at him. He couldn't believe how utterly nosy and irritating this man could be. He was supposedly the greatest wizard in the world, shouldn't he be going around saving lives and shouting philosophical phrases? What concerns did he have with Severus's social life- or perhaps lack thereof. I've been silent for quite some time, Severus mused absently. Maybe he'll think I've suddenly fallen asleep with my eyes open and go away.
"Severus?"
"…I'm not going."
"Well, no, you've hardly had anything to eat yet." He smiled. "That's perfectly acceptable."
"Er, no, I mean, that is to say…I'm not going on the, erm, date."
Albus blinked. "Why, how could you not? Imagine how hurt your mystery date will be!"
Severus couldn't decide if he hated Albus more for using the term 'mystery date', or for even considering for a moment that Severus might care the slightest bit about said person. He hadn't even met the witch!
"And, besides, imagine what opportunities it will open up for you! It'll be healthy. In fact, I insist. I'll escort you to the restaurant myself." And with a swish of his robe, Albus left without having any breakfast. Severus decided he had only come to the hall solely to cause his personal inconvenience, and with that assessment, stormed out of the hall.
End Flashback
Severus frowned at the blotted parchment. He couldn't see a way to convince Albus to let him off.
A soft whistle broke into his thoughts, and he looked up just in time to see a paper crane land in Hermione Granger's hair, and Draco Malfoy sit down with a rather sour, disgusted look on his face.
Maybe just this once, Severus thought, considering. An angry Lucius was worth it…Severus could deal with him.
"Detention as well, Malfoy. Get back in your seat." Malfoy did so, tumbling backwards. The Gryffindors were looking at their professor in awe and dawning joy, as the Slytherins looked shocked and betrayed. Malfoy had fallen to the floor in alarm. Professor Snape, give someone from his own house detention?! His 'favourite' student, no less!
Severus looked down at his note with a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He had just earned himself some firewhiskey later on.
Hermione was sitting cross-legged on her bed, staring ruefully at a piece of parchment. Ron and Harry were both incredibly curious as to why she wouldn't show them the letter, but she didn't dare.
Merlin help her, the magi-date service had actually found her someone.
She hadn't actually expected they would respond. It had been a spur of the moment thing, not something she had been ready for. She had completely forgotten about it after her and Ron got together that Saturday evening.
What to do? If she went on the date she would be cheating on Ron, and she didn't want to ruin their relationship just after it had begun. But, standing up this mystery-date would be almost as mean. She put her head in her hands and groaned.
"'Mione?" A familiar voice called at the door. In all her misery, a momentarily terrified Hermione thought it was Ron, but then she realized boys couldn't get into the girls' dormitories.
"Yes?"
"I thought I heard you wailing in despair," Ginny said cheerfully, turning into the room and landing with a bounce on Hermione's bed. "What's all this?" She looked at the letter enquiringly.
Hermione looked at it for a moment, then suddenly her eyes filled with tears and she collapsed on Ginny's shoulder. "Oh, Gin, what am I going to do?! The dating service wrote back and now I'm dating your brother, and if I go he would break up with me, but if I don't go the date will be so hurt, and I don't want to hurt anyone! I don't!" She clung to her friend's arm and cried desperately.
Ginny stared at her in confusion. "Dating service? Hermione, you are in a dating service?" She burst into laughter.
"This isn't funny!" Hermione said, sniffling and wiping her eyes. "I only joined because Ron went on that date with Lavender, I didn't actually expect anything to come of it!"
"Sorry," Ginny mumbled, wiping away tears as well, from her laughter. "But, 'Mione, you have to admit; you joining a dating service is bloody hilarious. Oh, just imagine if Fred and George found out. And Mum would be furious, she'd call you a 'scarlet woman'." She scanned the letter, still smiling.
Hermione chuckled at the Weasley mother's odd lingo and nodded. "Yes…but, really, what should I do?"
"Simple, just go to this restaurant and tell the bloke you've gotten together with someone, and you're terribly sorry but the date is off. He'll have to understand."
Hermione gave the redhead a watery smile and hugged her tightly. "I'm glad I have such an experienced friend," she said, and then added thoughtfully, "Odd that you haven't found another boyfriend yet."
With a nonchalant wave of her hand, Ginny said, "It doesn't really matter to me right now. Dean wasn't the greatest, so I don't really feel like rushed at any boy and proclaiming my everlasting love when they might turn out like him."
"You don't even fancy any one?" Hermione couldn't remember a time when Ginny didn't have some crush or another.
"Well," Ginny blushed slightly. "There might be one boy I'm interested in, but I don't think he's really thinking about relationships with girls at the moment."
Suddenly, realization dawned on Hermione. "You and Harry!"
Ginny gaped at her. "Harry?! Don't be-"
"Oh, but Ginny, you'd be perfect for eachother. I know, I know, you stopped fancying him ages ago, but think about it!"
"But…" Ginny protested blankly. Then, with another blush, she said, "but I'm younger than him and he probably thinks I'm just Ron's silly little sister."
"No, not really. He really admires you for keeping your wit last year in the department of mysteries. You were one of the only ones, you know."
Ginny visible brightened at this. "Really? Did he say that?"
Hermione nodded. "Well, during the summer when he was at the Burrow, he and Ron were talking about it, and Ron said he kept commenting on how brave you were. Ron told me this just a couple days ago. We were trying to think of someone for Harry because we're spending more time…er…alone…now." Her cheeks turned pink, and Ginny giggled.
"So, he doesn't think I'm just the youngest Weasley? Oh, thanks 'Mione, you've really made my day." She hugged her once more and then strolled out, humming cheerfully, as though it had been her who was looking for advice and finally found it.
"So, 'Mione, tell me again why you have to go somewhere Friday night without me?"
Hermione was standing just outside the common room with Ron and Harry, trying to think of a good excuse for having to leave for the soon to be cancelled magi-date.
"I just have to go shopping for something that I've suddenly run out of, Ron, that's all. You would be really bored, it's just some soap and things."
"Ron, just let her go, we can play chess or something 'till she comes back." Harry tugged on Ron's shirtsleeve nervously.
Ron tugged his arm away roughly. "I want to spend Friday night with my girlfriend, thanks!" He stormed off down the hall, scattering a group of whispering second years.
Harry looked after Ron with a hurt look, and Hermione bit her lip. "Oh, Harry, he'll cheer up soon. Thanks for covering for me." She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and rushed down the opposite hall, worrying she would be late.
Severus gave the seating hostess a hostile glare as she showed him to a table, straightening the silverware nervously and giving him curious glances. Finally, Severus convinced her to run off and get him a glass of firewhiskey, his new beverage of choice as of now.
Why am I here? He thought miserably, staring at the people around him. They were all laughing and talking over their meals, oblivious to the dark cloud hanging over Severus's head.
I should've hexed Albus and made a run for it, he thought. Anything to get out of this.
The woman brought him his firewhiskey and watched him keenly as he took the first gulp. When she was still there a minute after, he glared and she dashed off again.
You could still leave, Severus told himself. You could just get up and walk out. But he'd already ordered the whiskey. He'd have to pay for it.
Hermione strolled briskly across the street, straining her neck as she tried to get a better look at the restaurant through its clouded windows. She sighed as she stepped inside to the warmth and the scent of cooking food. "Is the, er, magi-date wizard here yet?" The woman didn't even look at the list before nodding, eyeing Hermione in awe. Oh Merlin, what's wrong with me? She thought anxiously.
The seating hostess came around the booth and motioned for Hermione to follow her into the maze of tables. The restaurant was definitely fancy, with low hanging coloured lights and rich maroon walls. There was a small fountain that drained into a river, with a little bridge going across it.
Hermione took this all in with admiration, and then froze. Sitting at the table just next to the bridge on the other side of the miniature river, was Professor Snape. Her mouth made an 'O' of horror and her limbs turned to stone. Bloody hell, she thought, please don't let him see me. Why did he have to be here, night of all nights? What was he even doing eating out? He didn't look too pleased. Maybe he was meeting someone.
Hermione forced herself to follow the employee, wincing as they headed straight for the bridge. We're going to walk right by him, Hermione realized in anguish. How embarrassing!
She closed her eyes like a child on a roller coaster, not wanting to see the terror ahead.
"Here you are, m'am." What? They were there already? Hermione opened her eyes.
They were standing right in front of Snape's table.
Hermione's jaw dropped. Professor Snape was her date.
The man have her an astonished look. Then he shook himself, glared at her, and said resignedly, "Well, Miss Granger, sit down before you fall down. I didn't realize you and Mr. Weasley were already on such ill terms."
Hermione obeyed, flopping into the chair in dismay. "Pro- professor-" She began weakly.
He held up a hand. "Miss Granger. I'm sure you have just as good of a reason for being here as I do. Waitress, bring her a glass of whiskey as well. I daresay she needs it more than I do." For some reason, the knowledge that one of his most hated students was in as much despair as he was cheered Severus up quite a bit. He found himself able to smile as Hermione gaped at him. "Did your parents ever tell you it's rude to stare, Miss Granger?"
"I- I…What are you doing here?!" She finally stammered. Then quickly turning to the slowly retreating waitress, she said, "Oh, no whiskey please, I'm much to yo-"
"Miss Granger!" Snape hissed. "Do you want me to look like some sort of pedophile?!"
"Oh," she mumbled, then waved to the waitress. "Er…Nevermind."
"And," Snape continued, "in response to your question, I have absolutely no idea. More importantly, are you paying for your own dinner? Because I certainly am not."
"Well, I…Yes- but…" She drifted off.
Severus rolled his eyes. "If it makes you feel any better, Miss Granger, I did not, myself, submit to this magi-date service. I suspect some student felt they were avenging a particularly cruel punishment and put in a form under my name."
"But, but…Why did you come?"
"Albus," he answered simply.
"Who's- oh, Dumbledore? But why…On second thought, never mind." Her glass of whiskey arrived, and she took a large gulp.
"Too young?"
"I've just had one of the biggest shocks of my life, for the love of Merlin, lay off Snape."
"Professor Snape," he corrected her absently.
"That's ridiculous. What about you being seen as a pedophile? We're on a date, Snape, don't you think people would wonder if I started calling you 'professor'?"
"Hmm…you have a point," he muttered, and then added gloomily, "I suppose we have to address each other by first names then."
"Yes, Severus." She grinned impishly.
"Drink your whiskey, Hermione," he snapped in reply. "No, wait, first tell me why you are here."
She blushed and mumbled something.
"Speak up," Severus snapped.
"Because of Ron," She said quietly.
Severus looked bewildered. "He told you to go on a blind date?"
"No! He…I don't usually share my personal lives with professors, sir- Severus." She scowled at him. "Especially professors I don't like."
"I don't particularly think daisies and sunshine of you, Hermione, but if you would like me to think you have a mental boyfriend, go right ahead and shut up."
She scowled even heavier. "I submitted a form because he went on a date with Lavender," she told him quickly.
"He, err, cheated on you?"
"No, it was before we were a couple. I was lonely," she admitted, blushing.
"How nice," Severus said blandly. "And yet you came even though you're already dating him?"
"I came here to call the date off, because I didn't want to stand up my 'mystery date'," She told him. "Now, I wish I hadn't come. He's quite angry with me now, and it's all your fault."
"How, pray tell, is it my fault?"
"If you didn't punish your students so much, this would never have happened!"
"I could give you detention for yelling at me, you know."
"Ugh!" Hermione groaned. "That's just it! And, no, you couldn't because we're outside of school."
"Dammit, you're right. And, anyways, it's not my fault that whoever signed me up filled in the same interests as you."
"They- You…I…Ugh." Hermione put her head in her hands. "You don't seem very surprised to see me," she mumbled.
Snape frowned thoughtfully. "Well, I suppose I always just took it for granted that someone like you would be in a dating service, and I'm already on my fourth glass of whiskey. Perhaps I should buy the bottle."
"I have a date with my professor and he's talking about wine," Hermione's shoulders started shaking, and Severus stared at her, thinking she was crying. How the hell do you handle a crying female? He thought, more irritated than concerned.
"Do stop crying. You're lowering my opinion of you, which has just raised considerably after you snapped at me."
She raised her face, and she hadn't been crying, but laughing. Her cheeks were flushed and she was smiling devilishly. "Oh, just wait 'till I tell Harry and Ron," she said gleefully.
Severus turned a shade paler than usual, and his eyes narrowed into slits. "You little-"
"Witch?" Hermione finished, still smiling.
"I'll fail you," Severus said smugly.
"You wouldn't dare. That's against the rules." She glared at him, but her eyes were wide with fear.
"You tell, I fail you. Elementary blackmailing, Miss Granger."
She growled something that sounded suspiciously like 'pedophile', and then let out a heavy sigh, her shoulders slumping. "Can I leave now?" She asked weakly.
"Giving up so soon?" Severus asked, his black eyes shining with laughter. "I insist on staying for dinner. If you leave it'll look as if I've been dumped. That earns you a detention right there."
"But Ron-"
"Shut up," Severus interrupted her automatically. She growled again. "I've always wanted to say that to you, you know," He told her happily.
"I've always wanted to shout at you," she replied grumpily. "Odd that I didn't melt into a puddle of fear at the sight of the most infamous professor at Hogwarts." She actually sounded surprised.
"I admit, I would never have thought you to be so outgoing."
"Was that a compliment?" She asked in disbelief.
Severus let out a bark of laughter. "Hardly," he said. "Now, can we order?"
"This is strange, seeing you so…cheerful," Hermione shuddered, looking at her menu.
She ended up only ordered a salad, saying she'd quite lost her appetite, and Severus ordered a bowl of Fettuccini Alfredo. "I can't recall the last time I've had a proper meal," Severus said wonderingly.
"But, we have dinner every night in the great hall!" Hermione said.
"I never eat much of that," Snape replied, scowling. "House elves. I don't like slavery, even if they do." He shuddered involuntarily.
Hermione gaped at him. "You- you-" she stammered in a high voice. "You support house elves too!"
"Well, I wouldn't say I support them," Severus said. "What on earth would I support? They love working. And what do you mean, 'too'?" He stared at her in caution, her half-crazed smile slightly frightening him.
"Oh, professor! You have to join SPEW! If I had adult support-"
Severus held up his hands defensively. "What in hell is spew?!"
"No, SPEW. S-P-E-W. The Society for the Protection of Elfish Welfare! I started it in fourth year, but I only have a few members. I'm sure if you-"
"Ahh! No! I don't want anything to do with any of your little twisted cults, Granger. Especially ones named after rather foul bodily functions."
Hermione glared at him. "You're just as bad as the rest of them."
"If not worse," Severus said, nodding.
"I can't believe I thought I might get along with you," Hermione continued.
"Neither can I," Severus agreed.
"You're a git," she spat.
"So I've been told," he replied, and she was silent.
Their food arrived and Severus dug in eagerly, while Hermione only picked at it with her fork. "Are you planning on eating that?" Severus asked her, and she shook her head feebly. "Pity," he said seriously. "It's good food." He reached across the table and took her plate from her, finishing it himself in less than five minutes. "Fancy some desert?" He asked, after he was finished.
"No," she mumbled.
"For Christ's sake, Granger, people are probably staring. You haven't eaten a thing and I'm stuffing down all your food like a madman. Eat something before I'm tempted to slap you. You're acting more idiotic than usual, which is saying something." He took another few mouthfuls of food and continued. "Then again, you did accept Mr. Weasley…Rather a startling development for the school's supposedly smartest witch. You honestly out-do eachother in idiosyncrasy, I highly doubt your relationship will live out the week. "
"Bastard," She said, her voice strangely muffled. Severus looked at her closely and saw tears sparkling in her eyes.
He was taken aback. He had made students cry before, Miss Granger herself, but it had never really affected him. Making someone cry who you were supposed to be on a date with had a rather startling influence. He was actually tempted to pat her on the back. But all he did was stare and say "Err."
She looked up now, her mouth set in a thin line and the tears now streaming down her face. "I hate you," she whispered furiously, and then, louder, "I hate you!" She jumped to her feet, upsetting her chair, and threw her napkin down on the table. With an angry moan, she rushed across the restaurant, out the door, and into the cold night.
Severus stared after her in shock, along with everyone else that was dining there. Then they turned accusing looks on him and he squirmed uncomfortably. Dammit, Snape, pull yourself together, he thought sternly, willing himself to look away casually as though nothing had happened. But a part of him felt guilty at causing such a storm of emotions from Hermione, whom he had almost come to willingly being in her company during the last forty-five minutes. Swearing to punish himself later, he got up, tossed some coins on the table, and followed quickly out after his runaway date.
Hermione stormed out of the glass doors, not even bothering to wrap her scarf properly around her neck as the freezing night air hit her unprotected face. Her tears dripped off her cheeks, dampening the neck of her cardigan. She hated him. She hated him with all her body and mind and soul. He was such a repulsive, stuck up, obnoxious jerk.
The pools of yellow light coming from the street lamps were like coins in dark water, and Hermione rushed from circle to circle, nervous about being in the dark alone. She could swear she had heard footsteps behind her, but she assumed that was just her being paranoid.
Wiping away the tears from her reddened eyes, she ordered herself to stop crying and act like a grownup. Don't let him get to you, she told herself. He's just a grumpy old codger with no friends and a bad attitude. He wouldn't know a thing about yours and Ron's relationship. Live out the week…It would live out the year, surely!
Okay, that most certainly hadn't been her imagination. Those were footsteps. Just keep walking; it's probably just someone going home late like you, just keep on walking…
"Miss Granger!" She heard Snape's unmistakeable drawling baritone and her body tensed. I hate you, I hate you, I hate you…
The footsteps slowed and her professor appeared at her side, panting slightly, his black robes billowing about his limbs as he walked. Hermione thought he looked rather like a vampire from some old muggle movie.
"What?" She snapped, not turning her head or slowing her brisk pace.
"Erm…Idliketoaplogze," he mumbled.
Hermione stopped in her tracks. She had expected him to want money for her dinner. An apology was…unbelievable. "What?" She asked incredulously.
He sighed in exasperation. "I said, I'd like to-" his mouth twisted as though he had eaten something rather foul, and he finished, "-apologize. I was…Maybe I was a bit rude, and I wanted to apologize."
"Maybe?! You're horrible, all the time, every day. There's not question. I can't stand you. Go away."
"Fine," he said irritably, and Hermione gasped as he melted away into the shadows. She suddenly realized how terribly alone she was. "S-Snape? Professor?" She murmured nervously, peering into the darkness.
Snape suddenly appeared again, as though he had just apparated beside her. "I thought you told me to go away," He said, rolling his eyes.
"Well, yes, but…It's very dark." She blushed in spite of herself.
"So you want me to walk you back to school?" He asked, almost smiling at the irony. "Why would I want to walk with someone who just insulted me after I apologized so nicely?"
"I…Um…" She shuffled her feet and looked down. "Sorry, then," She mumbled.
"Truce, then," Snape said, a little surprised at himself. He was being unusually friendly. It was against all his better judgement.
They walked back to the school in silence, Hermione strangely comforted by the warmth of someone so unfamiliar beside her, and Severus wondering anxiously about himself and his sudden empathetic impulses. They would do horrible things to his reputation.
The school gates finally appeared and Hogwarts castle loomed before them. The companions rushed eagerly through the front doors, shivering from the cold.
After rubbing her hands together and wiping her eyes again, Hermione gave Severus a sheepish smile and said quietly, "Thanks."
Severus, just as shy, replied, "Yes, um…Sorry…again…about all that."
"It's alright, really. Happens all the time. So, um, goodnight then."
"Yes, right," said Severus, and, a bit of his old sarcastic self coming back to him, added, "Our tremendously romantic date comes to a end.
Hermione chuckled softly, and, cautiously, held out her hand. Severus shook it quickly and Hermione mumbled another goodnight, rushing off in the direction of the Gryffindor common room.
Severus stood there for quite some time, before turning the opposite direction and heading for the dungeons, down to his private chambers.
"'Mione!" Ron cried, rushing over and squeezing her in a tight hug. Hermione had arrived back at the castle quite late, and the boys had already gone up to their dormitories. Hermione was a little hurt that her boyfriend hadn't waited for her, but she shook it off, telling herself he had been rightly frustrated.
Now it was Saturday morning, and when she came downstairs they both jumped to their feet.
"We thought you had been kidnapped or something," Harry said anxiously. "Ron wanted to go to Dumbledore." He looked slyly at his friend.
Ron blushed and protested feebly, saying he only had Hermione's 'best interests in mind'.
Hermione laughed and told them she had taken a bit longer than she had expected, then gone to the library to look something up. They rolled their eyes but, naturally, believed her, and the night was dismissed. "We can spend this night together," She promised Ron, and he gave her a hearty kiss and agreed.
Harry just smiled foolishly.
They spent the day outside in the snow, a fresh white layer that had fallen over night, and was still coming down in large fluffy flakes. Almost all of the sixth years were included in a massive snowball fight, including Ginny and Luna Lovegood.
Hermione hit Ron with a particularly good shot, and, laughing, he dove at her and the tumbled to the ground in a flurry of snow. Laughing and shouting protests, Hermione tried to get up, but Ron had landed on top of her, and he hadn't moved. "Ron," she said, smiling, "get up, will you, you're…" She trailed off when she saw his expression.
Slowly, tantalizingly slowly, he lowered his lips and kissed her, only just grazing her lips. Hermione shuddered and stared at him in awe, her senses on fire and becoming increasingly aware of Ron's hand sliding him her side. "Ron," she breathed.
Suddenly, they were kissing fiercely, limbs entwined, tongues teasing each other and hearts beating through their chests.
A startled cry made them break apart. "Hermione!" Ginny shouted, staring at her friend and her brother in a mixture of disgust, shock, and amusement. Half the snowballers came running, and Hermione and Ron hastily stood and started brushing the snow off their clothes. Hermione's jacket had come off and Ron was lacking his toque and scarf.
Everyone stared at them curiously, wondering what all the fuss was about. "They were snogging like there was no tomorrow, seriously," Ginny exclaimed, gagging. "Anyone could've found you two, you're lucky it was only your sister, Ron," she told him seriously.
"Yeah, sure, lucky," Ron muttered, scowling. Hermione blushed under all the stares of her friends.
"Well, who cares, they're bloody dating, let them have some privacy!" Harry's voice was like music to Hermione's ears, and she gave him a grateful smile. Everyone nodded and eventually started tossing snowballs again, but the rest of the day Hermione's heart fluttered and her cheeks burned much more than normal whenever Ron smiled at her, and she was so very sure that this was what you called love.
There you have it. The first, rather lengthy chapter (for my standards) of my second chaptered fanfiction. Knock yourselves out.
...Oh, and honestly, if I don't get reviews for this, I won't continue it, because I'm terrified that it's horrible. I never write Harry Potter stuff. So, a lack of reviews would be quite a big hint that it's horrible, hence, deletion.
Ta!
xoxoxox
Sarah