The year started off with kids scrambling around the hallways. The final
battle becoming a distant memory, despite the numbers lost. There were a
noticeably less number of students around, but the tension that had plagued
the past few years was gone. Finally, they had returned to a time that,
although can become boring and predictable, gave many the feeling of
freedom that they had enjoyed before Voldemort's return.
Severus and Hermione continued to chat amicably, despite the slight tension they had both felt since their friendship had been mistaken for a possible romance. Mistaken? Well, they were less sure about that now than they were when it was first brought to their attention. Neither one of them, however, had enough courage to bring the topic up. Neither wanted to jeopardize their current friendship with remote possibilities.
With the arrival of Robin, Hermione began to interact more beyond Severus. He was happy to see it, but at the same time, felt cheated out of the time. The two women would often walk together to breakfast and lunch, often seen smiling and poking fun at each other, and to see that smile on Hermione's face made him feel. . .he wasn't sure.
To see it made him happy, but to not be the cause of it. . .ah! There was the problem. That's what confused him slightly. Why was it important that the smile on her face be of his doing? Perhaps Korun was right on that first day. He certainly admitted to himself that if anyone even looked at her wrong, he would be ready to hurt and maim that person. Even when he lay in bed at night, his mind would wander to the memory of the night he held her. He didn't want her to get up, but reality had to rear its ugly head. Remembering the warmth and weight of her, he could have gotten used to that. When the sun came up the next day, he would always push that memory away. It would not do her any good to get involved with someone like him. He was her confidant, a shoulder to lean on. And it wouldn't do to make her feel awkward around him.
So the days continued. He would keep an eye on her, becoming more a more convinced that she had recovered, that she had learned to live again. She would still go to his office, almost daily, and talk about her day with him. He began to confide in her more. And, despite not letting either in on the source of their respective tension, they shared secrets with each other that they would not dare tell a soul - except for one.
~@~
"Professor Granger." Korun said, coming to the high table at lunch. Hermione looked at him from her conversation with Robin.
"Professor?" She said nodding.
"I was wondering if you would be able to assist me with something after your classes finish. I have a potion that needs an extra set of hands and the Headmaster has too much on his hands to assist me." Korun said. In the weeks following their arrival, Korun and Hermione began to speak civilly to each other. Although Korun was initially disgusted with her, he grew more tolerant.
"Certainly. I dismiss my last class around 3." Hermione replied.
"Thank you." Korun said, than turned to Severus, who was just arriving for lunch.
~@~
"And if there are no more questions, you are dismissed. And remember my office hours are open to anyone who needs help." Hermione called to the escaping children's backs. Her lessons were ahead of schedule, despite how thorough she made each one. It afforded the class more time to work on their assignments while in class and ask any questions before leaving. Her office hours were used more scarcely compared to other teachers as a result.
She packed up the homework on her desk in the classroom, and moved it to her desk in her office to begin her grading. She was even able to keep up fairly in her university courses, and wished to ask Severus if she could pick up an extra one. Surely he would have no objections.
After putting her things in her office and warding it, she left through the door to the main hallway instead of her own quarters and headed towards the dungeons. She made it to the empty classroom by a quarter after three. The door was closed, and she raised her hand to knock. To be working with Korun in her spare hours, she was hoping that they would overcome the initial tension completely, and soon. Although, they could speak together usually comfortably, there was something that did not quite feel right.
After knocking and waiting a moment, she heard Korun's invitation to enter the classroom. She grabbed the handle of the door and pushed. Korun was focused on the caldron in front of him, but he acknowledged her presence. "Close the door. I don't want any prying eyes in here." She had heard about his love of privacy and isolation. It seemed to be a common trait for most of the competent and quite brilliant potion masters.
Closing the door, she approached him carefully, making sure that she did not do anything to disrupt his concentration. "Take a seat Professor. I'll be done this step shortly." He said.
Hermione sat down and watched his method. He was just as meticulous as Severus. His hands were steady and graceful, and she could tell that his senses were in complete concentration of the caldron in front of him. After a few more minutes, he inspected the contents of the potion, nodded in satisfaction for the work, and looked up at her. "I suspect that you're curious as to what kind of help I am in need of, Professor." He said.
"I am, in fact. I don't recognize the potion you are brewing right now. I'm guessing it is one of your own experiments, or one that I haven't studied because the difficulty level is beyond the seventh years." Hermione replied.
"Do you have any clue as to what it is?" Korun asked.
Hermione stood and approached the caldron. The contents were a grainy, thick pale blue. "It looks like some sort of enhancer base. But usually they are not a shade of blue." Hermione said.
Nodding, Korun said, "Severus was right. You are brilliant for the level of education you have received in this field." Writing something down on his notes, he continued. "You are correct. This is an enhancer base. But it's more directed towards a psychic enhancement. It is meant to aid a form of wandless magic. More specifically, telekinesis."
"So it would not aid in spells that do not result in the physical movement of objects." Hermione said.
"Exactly. It is more difficult to move physical objects with a spell than it is to perform other types of spells, although you don't really notice it when you are using your wand. If this potion is successful, you will only need to see the object in order to move it."
Hermione nodded in understanding, but Korun could see a question in her eyes. He could tell what she wanted to know. "The purpose," he continued, answering the unspoken query, "is really for research alone. Just a little bit of tinkering I like to do on my spare time, but I find that I could use the help. Usually I would ask Severus to help, but he is so busy with his Headmaster duties that I thought I would ask you if you are interested in helping. After all, if I've heard correctly, you are nothing if not a scientist."
Hermione's eyes lit up in face of the new challenge. But with the added work of the project, she wouldn't be able to pick up the new university course she wanted. She was sure she could do the course and the project, but she would have to convince Severus. He could make good on his threat of contacting the Dean of the university. 'Well, it's not as if I have to tell Severus everything. I am an adult after all.' She thought.
"It sounds interesting. I'd be glad to help out." Hermione said. Korun nodded and turned back to the caldron. After checking the stage in which the potion was, he waved his wand over his notes and made duplicates of them. He handed her the second copy. "You'll need to be up to speed with where I am so far, Professor. If there's one thing that potion masters are known for, it's impatience with the incompetent. Shall we set up a time to meet again?"
"Of course." Hermione replied, taking the notes and glancing over them briefly. They decided to meet up three days a week and any time that inspiration struck. With that, Hermione left the classroom to go to her rooms to read the new material.
~@~
Hermione spent the rest of the afternoon reading over the notes Korun had given her. Referencing a few texts from her library and the restricted section of the school library, she began to prepare notes and gather information that would help her to understand the on goings of the potion. Although the first step was rather straight forward, with little change to the original enhancement potion base, the other steps were a little more involved and required massive amounts of attention and patience. If she had any doubt on anything, she looked it up so she could be absolutely certain.
Finally finishing her notes and her initial research, she set her things down on the coffee table in front of her, rubbed her eyes, and stretched with her eyes still closed. When she opened them, she was startled to see the Headmaster sitting in the chair off to the side of the fire, staring into it. "Welcome back." He said.
"How long have you been sitting there?" Hermione asked him. He looked from the fire to her, and thought of his response.
"Since about a half hour after dinner." He replied. Hermione didn't even realize the amount of time she had spent on Korun's notes, and she hadn't begun her marking or her studying. No matter. She'd pulled late nights and all nighters before as a student. Nothing she couldn't handle. Besides, the only homework she had to mark wouldn't have to be back to the students for another week. No problems.
"I was asked by Professor Una of your whereabouts, and for the life of me, I couldn't figure out why you were not at the head table." He continued.
"I was doing some reading and lost track of the time." She replied. "I didn't even hear the bells toll for dinner."
"An honest mistake. I'm sure you'll be careful about skipping meals." Severus replied. "I do not want a repeat." He added with a hint of anger.
"Severus! Honestly! It was one meal, and I will have something to eat now." Hermione replied. "Relax! I'm not a child."
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "No. You're not." He said looking back at the fire.
"Is something wrong?" Hermione asked.
Severus looked back to her. "Just exhausted. All the Headmaster duties are quite a jump from regular teaching and head of house duties. I don't understand how Albus did this all those years." He said. But it was more than that. She could see it in his eyes. It was something that she had rarely seen before. It looked like. . .sadness? Whatever for?
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked. Severus narrowed his eyes at her a bit. 'All right. It looks like I won't find out what's troubling him.' She thought.
Severus stood from the chair. "If you miss another meal, Hermione, I will personally begin to escort you to the Great Hall again." He said with a bit of the old amusement back in his eyes. "I'll drag you kicking and screaming if I have to."
"Didn't you threaten me with that already?" Hermione asked, getting up from her own seat.
"Yes. And it worked." He replied, facing her. They stood for a few moments in silence. Each of their thoughts reluctantly turning back to what neither had considered before Robin and Korun arrived. Each wanting to discuss it, but afraid of what it could lead to. "I should be heading back to my own rooms. It has been a long day." Severus said, breaking the silence and moving to leave.
"Of course." Hermione nodded, following him to the entrance to her rooms. She than remembered some of her plans from earlier in the day. "Severus?"
He turned to face her again. "Would it be possible to speak with you tomorrow around lunch time in your office? I wanted to discuss something with you." Hermione said.
"My door is always open." He replied with a slight smirk, opening her own door. "Although I missed your presence in my office today." He said before thinking.
"My apologies. I should have told you I was a bit busy to come by today." Hermione said, slightly taken aback. That strange look crossed his eyes again. Stepping forward, she hugged him. "Thank you for everything you have done for me Severus." She whispered into his ear. He was a bit stunned, but brought his arms around her waist, returning the embrace.
"You are welcome. Goodnight Hermione." He whispered back.
~@~
He watched as she closed her door and as the Headmaster waited a few moments longer. When it did not appear that he was going to move anytime soon, Korun stepped out of the shadows. "Free to make a move my arse, Severus." He said, startling the Headmaster.
"What are you talking about, Korun?" Severus asked.
"I see the puppy dog look in your eye." Korun sneered with disgust.
"I do not have a 'puppy dog' look in my eye as you so put it." Severus said.
"Ah, so the glazed over look is a sign of success?" Korun asked.
Severus had enough. "Sod off, Korun." He said stalking away.
"You've got it bad." Korun said to himself, smiling as he made his way back to his dungeons.
A/N:
Again, I apologize for the amount of time it took for the chapters to come up. I haven't been able to give any attention to anything since it was exam time. But now exams are over, and I can once again put a lot more attention into my stories. I am hoping to have at least one chapter up a week, with only writer's block to account for any wait longer than that.
~@~Aras~@~
Severus and Hermione continued to chat amicably, despite the slight tension they had both felt since their friendship had been mistaken for a possible romance. Mistaken? Well, they were less sure about that now than they were when it was first brought to their attention. Neither one of them, however, had enough courage to bring the topic up. Neither wanted to jeopardize their current friendship with remote possibilities.
With the arrival of Robin, Hermione began to interact more beyond Severus. He was happy to see it, but at the same time, felt cheated out of the time. The two women would often walk together to breakfast and lunch, often seen smiling and poking fun at each other, and to see that smile on Hermione's face made him feel. . .he wasn't sure.
To see it made him happy, but to not be the cause of it. . .ah! There was the problem. That's what confused him slightly. Why was it important that the smile on her face be of his doing? Perhaps Korun was right on that first day. He certainly admitted to himself that if anyone even looked at her wrong, he would be ready to hurt and maim that person. Even when he lay in bed at night, his mind would wander to the memory of the night he held her. He didn't want her to get up, but reality had to rear its ugly head. Remembering the warmth and weight of her, he could have gotten used to that. When the sun came up the next day, he would always push that memory away. It would not do her any good to get involved with someone like him. He was her confidant, a shoulder to lean on. And it wouldn't do to make her feel awkward around him.
So the days continued. He would keep an eye on her, becoming more a more convinced that she had recovered, that she had learned to live again. She would still go to his office, almost daily, and talk about her day with him. He began to confide in her more. And, despite not letting either in on the source of their respective tension, they shared secrets with each other that they would not dare tell a soul - except for one.
~@~
"Professor Granger." Korun said, coming to the high table at lunch. Hermione looked at him from her conversation with Robin.
"Professor?" She said nodding.
"I was wondering if you would be able to assist me with something after your classes finish. I have a potion that needs an extra set of hands and the Headmaster has too much on his hands to assist me." Korun said. In the weeks following their arrival, Korun and Hermione began to speak civilly to each other. Although Korun was initially disgusted with her, he grew more tolerant.
"Certainly. I dismiss my last class around 3." Hermione replied.
"Thank you." Korun said, than turned to Severus, who was just arriving for lunch.
~@~
"And if there are no more questions, you are dismissed. And remember my office hours are open to anyone who needs help." Hermione called to the escaping children's backs. Her lessons were ahead of schedule, despite how thorough she made each one. It afforded the class more time to work on their assignments while in class and ask any questions before leaving. Her office hours were used more scarcely compared to other teachers as a result.
She packed up the homework on her desk in the classroom, and moved it to her desk in her office to begin her grading. She was even able to keep up fairly in her university courses, and wished to ask Severus if she could pick up an extra one. Surely he would have no objections.
After putting her things in her office and warding it, she left through the door to the main hallway instead of her own quarters and headed towards the dungeons. She made it to the empty classroom by a quarter after three. The door was closed, and she raised her hand to knock. To be working with Korun in her spare hours, she was hoping that they would overcome the initial tension completely, and soon. Although, they could speak together usually comfortably, there was something that did not quite feel right.
After knocking and waiting a moment, she heard Korun's invitation to enter the classroom. She grabbed the handle of the door and pushed. Korun was focused on the caldron in front of him, but he acknowledged her presence. "Close the door. I don't want any prying eyes in here." She had heard about his love of privacy and isolation. It seemed to be a common trait for most of the competent and quite brilliant potion masters.
Closing the door, she approached him carefully, making sure that she did not do anything to disrupt his concentration. "Take a seat Professor. I'll be done this step shortly." He said.
Hermione sat down and watched his method. He was just as meticulous as Severus. His hands were steady and graceful, and she could tell that his senses were in complete concentration of the caldron in front of him. After a few more minutes, he inspected the contents of the potion, nodded in satisfaction for the work, and looked up at her. "I suspect that you're curious as to what kind of help I am in need of, Professor." He said.
"I am, in fact. I don't recognize the potion you are brewing right now. I'm guessing it is one of your own experiments, or one that I haven't studied because the difficulty level is beyond the seventh years." Hermione replied.
"Do you have any clue as to what it is?" Korun asked.
Hermione stood and approached the caldron. The contents were a grainy, thick pale blue. "It looks like some sort of enhancer base. But usually they are not a shade of blue." Hermione said.
Nodding, Korun said, "Severus was right. You are brilliant for the level of education you have received in this field." Writing something down on his notes, he continued. "You are correct. This is an enhancer base. But it's more directed towards a psychic enhancement. It is meant to aid a form of wandless magic. More specifically, telekinesis."
"So it would not aid in spells that do not result in the physical movement of objects." Hermione said.
"Exactly. It is more difficult to move physical objects with a spell than it is to perform other types of spells, although you don't really notice it when you are using your wand. If this potion is successful, you will only need to see the object in order to move it."
Hermione nodded in understanding, but Korun could see a question in her eyes. He could tell what she wanted to know. "The purpose," he continued, answering the unspoken query, "is really for research alone. Just a little bit of tinkering I like to do on my spare time, but I find that I could use the help. Usually I would ask Severus to help, but he is so busy with his Headmaster duties that I thought I would ask you if you are interested in helping. After all, if I've heard correctly, you are nothing if not a scientist."
Hermione's eyes lit up in face of the new challenge. But with the added work of the project, she wouldn't be able to pick up the new university course she wanted. She was sure she could do the course and the project, but she would have to convince Severus. He could make good on his threat of contacting the Dean of the university. 'Well, it's not as if I have to tell Severus everything. I am an adult after all.' She thought.
"It sounds interesting. I'd be glad to help out." Hermione said. Korun nodded and turned back to the caldron. After checking the stage in which the potion was, he waved his wand over his notes and made duplicates of them. He handed her the second copy. "You'll need to be up to speed with where I am so far, Professor. If there's one thing that potion masters are known for, it's impatience with the incompetent. Shall we set up a time to meet again?"
"Of course." Hermione replied, taking the notes and glancing over them briefly. They decided to meet up three days a week and any time that inspiration struck. With that, Hermione left the classroom to go to her rooms to read the new material.
~@~
Hermione spent the rest of the afternoon reading over the notes Korun had given her. Referencing a few texts from her library and the restricted section of the school library, she began to prepare notes and gather information that would help her to understand the on goings of the potion. Although the first step was rather straight forward, with little change to the original enhancement potion base, the other steps were a little more involved and required massive amounts of attention and patience. If she had any doubt on anything, she looked it up so she could be absolutely certain.
Finally finishing her notes and her initial research, she set her things down on the coffee table in front of her, rubbed her eyes, and stretched with her eyes still closed. When she opened them, she was startled to see the Headmaster sitting in the chair off to the side of the fire, staring into it. "Welcome back." He said.
"How long have you been sitting there?" Hermione asked him. He looked from the fire to her, and thought of his response.
"Since about a half hour after dinner." He replied. Hermione didn't even realize the amount of time she had spent on Korun's notes, and she hadn't begun her marking or her studying. No matter. She'd pulled late nights and all nighters before as a student. Nothing she couldn't handle. Besides, the only homework she had to mark wouldn't have to be back to the students for another week. No problems.
"I was asked by Professor Una of your whereabouts, and for the life of me, I couldn't figure out why you were not at the head table." He continued.
"I was doing some reading and lost track of the time." She replied. "I didn't even hear the bells toll for dinner."
"An honest mistake. I'm sure you'll be careful about skipping meals." Severus replied. "I do not want a repeat." He added with a hint of anger.
"Severus! Honestly! It was one meal, and I will have something to eat now." Hermione replied. "Relax! I'm not a child."
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "No. You're not." He said looking back at the fire.
"Is something wrong?" Hermione asked.
Severus looked back to her. "Just exhausted. All the Headmaster duties are quite a jump from regular teaching and head of house duties. I don't understand how Albus did this all those years." He said. But it was more than that. She could see it in his eyes. It was something that she had rarely seen before. It looked like. . .sadness? Whatever for?
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked. Severus narrowed his eyes at her a bit. 'All right. It looks like I won't find out what's troubling him.' She thought.
Severus stood from the chair. "If you miss another meal, Hermione, I will personally begin to escort you to the Great Hall again." He said with a bit of the old amusement back in his eyes. "I'll drag you kicking and screaming if I have to."
"Didn't you threaten me with that already?" Hermione asked, getting up from her own seat.
"Yes. And it worked." He replied, facing her. They stood for a few moments in silence. Each of their thoughts reluctantly turning back to what neither had considered before Robin and Korun arrived. Each wanting to discuss it, but afraid of what it could lead to. "I should be heading back to my own rooms. It has been a long day." Severus said, breaking the silence and moving to leave.
"Of course." Hermione nodded, following him to the entrance to her rooms. She than remembered some of her plans from earlier in the day. "Severus?"
He turned to face her again. "Would it be possible to speak with you tomorrow around lunch time in your office? I wanted to discuss something with you." Hermione said.
"My door is always open." He replied with a slight smirk, opening her own door. "Although I missed your presence in my office today." He said before thinking.
"My apologies. I should have told you I was a bit busy to come by today." Hermione said, slightly taken aback. That strange look crossed his eyes again. Stepping forward, she hugged him. "Thank you for everything you have done for me Severus." She whispered into his ear. He was a bit stunned, but brought his arms around her waist, returning the embrace.
"You are welcome. Goodnight Hermione." He whispered back.
~@~
He watched as she closed her door and as the Headmaster waited a few moments longer. When it did not appear that he was going to move anytime soon, Korun stepped out of the shadows. "Free to make a move my arse, Severus." He said, startling the Headmaster.
"What are you talking about, Korun?" Severus asked.
"I see the puppy dog look in your eye." Korun sneered with disgust.
"I do not have a 'puppy dog' look in my eye as you so put it." Severus said.
"Ah, so the glazed over look is a sign of success?" Korun asked.
Severus had enough. "Sod off, Korun." He said stalking away.
"You've got it bad." Korun said to himself, smiling as he made his way back to his dungeons.
A/N:
Again, I apologize for the amount of time it took for the chapters to come up. I haven't been able to give any attention to anything since it was exam time. But now exams are over, and I can once again put a lot more attention into my stories. I am hoping to have at least one chapter up a week, with only writer's block to account for any wait longer than that.
~@~Aras~@~