Disclaimer: It's not mine, duh!
A/N: Yea for crzy4snape who correctly guessed the song that inspired the beginning of chapter 11: The Woman With You- by Kenny Chesney. Good song, I love it! Anyways, crzy4snape, send me an e-mail with Take Time to Smell the Roses as the subject title, and let me know what your e-mail address is so I can start giving you some ideas of what's to come and get your help in naming some things and ideas for the future! My e-mail is DontLetMeGetMe86aol.com. Now for everyone else, thanks for reading patiently, lol. Thank you again everyone for your reviews, and as always, onto what you really want, the story!
Take Time to Smell the Roses
Chapter Thirteen
"How's it going?" Severus asked leaning over her shoulder a few days later. The students were arriving that evening, and Hermione was going over some last minute things.
"Good. I'm really excited about teaching. I don't know what I would've done if Professor Dumbledore hadn't given me Professor Binns' lesson plans to use as a basis," Hermione said from where she was seated in one of the arm chairs in front of the fireplace.
"You would have created lesson plans based on what you learned the past six years," Severus replied.
"True, but still, this saves me a lot of time and researching. The only thing I'm worried about is your house, the seventh years especially," Hermione set her papers down and leaned back in the chair. "I don't think they'll be happy about the fact that I'm a professor and I'll have authority over them. The other seventh years and the younger years I think will be fine, or at least, even if they aren't, they'll still respect me."
"Well you aren't going to really have to see them after Christmas," he pointed out. "Professor Binns just set up lessons about recent history, and then after winter break he had them do individual assignments to be presented at the end of the year. Unless you plan on doing it differently?"
"No, I like the independent research project idea, but still-"
"You'll be fine," he interrupted. "They'll have to listen to you because if they don't they'll fail the class and not be able to graduate. And if they complain, I'm sure Albus will do something."
"I guess you're right."
"Of course I am," he smirked when she shot him a glare. "Ready to go to dinner?"
"Let's," she set aside her papers and stood up.
Hermione took his offered arm as they walked up to the great hall. Hermione smiled a greeting to the other professors and Albus as she sat down in the chair Severus pulled out for her before he took his seat to her left. They were about halfway between the end of the table and Albus, and Hermione was grateful for the fact that she didn't have to deal with everyone watching her walk in, although she knew that Albus was going to announce it to everyone anyways. About ten minutes later Hermione heard voices, and soon after the second through seventh years began filing in, taking their places at the tables. No one had really taken note of her yet, although she saw Draco, Pansy, and Blaise glare at her every now and then. She was wondering why they hadn't mentioned anything to anyone else when Professor McGonagall brought the first years in and set up the stool and sorting hat.
"I still can't believe how small and scared looking they are!" Hermione exclaimed in a whisper to Severus who chuckled quietly.
"You were the same way," he whispered back as the hat finished its song and Professor McGonagall began calling out names.
"Aldridge, Maximus," she called out and a chubby, cherubic looking boy walked forward.
"That one's a Slytherin," Severus commented.
"I don't think so, look at him-he looks like an angel," she replied back once again grateful for the location of her seat which kept her from really being noticed as they blended in to the long line of teachers.
"SLYTHERIN!" the hat called out and the boy went to join his house mates.
"You were right, how'd you know?" Hermione asked as the next first year was called up.
"Even if I hadn't known his parents, his first name was a large indicator. Old families like to name their children with unusual or powerful sounding names, usually after Emperors and rulers and the like."
"You stink," Hermione made a face at him.
They continued to converse, trying to anticipate which house a student would end up in. There wasn't a very large group of first years, only twenty seven, with the final count being seven Slytherins, six Ravenclaws, eight Hufflepuffs, and six Gryffindors.
"Welcome back students, and welcome to our first years. May you always think of us fondly!" Professor Dumbledore stood up and greeted the school as Professor McGonagall took away the stool and hat. "Some beginning of term announcements before we eat."
"Oh gods," Hermione whispered aloud, now feeling slightly nervous. Severus discreetly took her hand and began rubbing his thumb back and forth on the back of her hand, soothing her. He remembered that human contact always seemed to calm her nerves, or at least it helped calm them a little.
"First, Mr. Filch has added several new items to the list of those that are forbidden to be used in school. For a complete list, please see him. Secondly, the forbidden forest is, as always, forbidden," Professor Dumbledore winked at Harry and Ron who had the decency to look away. "I am sure some of you have noticed that there are a few new faces among the staff, so as I introduce them I ask that they stand. Professor Wood-"
Professor Dumbledore was cut off by the loud cheering from almost everyone. Oliver Wood had been a very popular student in school, and it appeared that still rang true as a Professor. He stood up, waving his hand and smiling jovially before taking his seat.
"Quiet please," Professor Dumbledore smiled. "Professor Wood will be the flying instructor as Madame Hooch has taken a sabbatical to play quidditch in an American league. Our new muggle studies instructor is Professor Sanchez."
An older woman rose slightly from her seat near the end of the table and nodded her head slightly before sitting back down. The students applauded politely for her.
"It is to my great sadness that I inform you that Professor Binns has crossed over. Replacing him is Professor Snape." Albus had to hold back a laugh as looks of horror crossed many students' faces.
"Stand up," Severus hissed at Hermione who was sitting un-moving.
"I can't, they'll hate me," she responded, looking pale.
Severus rolled his eyes and pushed Hermione on the arm still she stood up. She put a smile on her face as she rose to her feet. Everyone was sitting there in stunned silence. No noise could be heard until a sudden shout captured everyone's attention.
"NO…UNH-UH…NO WAY!" Ron yelled out in shock and disbelief as he jumped to his feet. "I COULD HANDLE YOUR GOING TO A MATCHMAKING AGENCY. I COULD TOLERATE THE FACT YOU MARRIED HIM, BUT I CAN'T TOLERATE THIS!"
"Mr. Weasley! Sit down this instant," Severus reprimanded icily as Harry, Dean, and Seamus somehow managed to pull him back down in his seat, although anyone could tell that Ron was seething with anger and was upset. Hermione saw Ginny put a silencing charm on him, something she was grateful for as she took her seat. Whispers broke out among all the tables and Hermione was sure that they were wondering what the bloody hell was going on. Professor Dumbledore once again called for silence before speaking.
"And that brings me to my last announcement. We would like to congratulate Professor Snape on his marriage to the former Miss Granger this past summer," Professor Dumbledore clapped his hands and food appeared on the tables. "Enjoy!"
Hermione would've run from the table, but Severus had his hand on her arm. That, and the knowledge that everyone was watching her and would think her weak, were the three things that kept her from running. For the rest of the meal however she simply picked at her food, only eating a few bites of salad and not much else.
"Prefects, please lead your houses out, and I leave you with the words kibbutz bobstay boo!" Professor Dumbledore said by way of a dismissal.
Hermione and Severus waited a few minutes for the great hall to clear out before heading back to their quarters. Walking in the hallways, lingering students, especially the older ones, shot her disgusted looks muttered things under their breath. Things like they knew why she always got such good grades. Once back in their quarters, Hermione curled up in the chair she had been sitting in earlier, her face in her hands. Severus could see her shoulders shaking and her frame trembling from the strain of holding back her distress.
"It'll be okay," he said gently, laying a hand on her shoulder. That was all it took for Hermione to break down. She let out a sob, and not knowing what to do, Severus quickly went to the fireplace and threw in some powder.
"Gryffindor tower," he called, sticking his head in a minute later. "Potter, get down here if you value your life!"
Severus pulled his head back once he heard people start yelling for Harry to go see Snape. Hermione was still crying, even more upset sounding then before. He stood there awkwardly, watching her, not knowing how to act around a sobbing teenage girl. A few minutes later there was a knock on the door and he quickly went and opened it, admitting Harry.
"You needed me Professor?" Harry asked sounding confused, as he walked in.
Severus simply pointed to Hermione. Harry immediately walked over and gathered her up in his arms, sitting down on the chair as he held her and rocked her back and forth gently. He had his arms around her, with one hand softly stroking her hair as he held her close to his chest. Slowly her sobs relented, and her breathing began to return to normal except for a few last shuddering breaths. Soon her breathing began to slow, and it was evident that she was asleep.
"Where should I put her Professor?" Harry asked in a whisper, standing up carefully.
Severus motioned for him to follow him into the bedroom where he pulled back the covers. Harry laid Hermione on the bed gently before taking off her shoes and socks. Smoothing back her hair, he placed a kiss on her temple before pulling the covers up over her. He followed Severus back out into the living room before speaking.
"She'll be fine in the morning. I think everything just got to her, and Ron's words were the icing on the cake," Harry said uncomfortably as he stood there, his hands in his pockets.
"Thank you," Severus replied, also uncomfortable. "Dealing with emotional girls is not my expertise."
"You're welcome," Harry started for the door. "Professor?"
"What is it Potter?" he said slightly irritated, but trying to hide it since Harry had just done him a favour.
"Take care of her, all right?"
"You have my word, now get back to Gryffindor tower before I give you detention," he nodded at Harry as he closed the door behind him.
Walking back into the bedroom, he stood for a moment watching her. Seeing her lying there, so innocent and peaceful except for the dried trail of tears on her cheeks, he felt something twinge in his heart. Not love, he knew that. As Narcissa had so eloquently pointed out, he had no capacity to love. Or at least if he did, he had no idea how to go about loving someone. He didn't know how to name what he was feeling exactly, but he did know that he cared about her, in a way.
Bending down, he brushed a feather-light kiss on her head before straightening back up, looking surprised by his own actions. Tucking the covers tighter around her, he went back into the living room and prepared himself for a night on the couch.
A/N: Hey everyone, I hope that was a satisfactory reaction from Ron. I just immediately pictured him blowing up and being completely shocked, and hurt, and angry. And we all know that Ron doesn't do well with surprises of that magnitude :-) But anyways, thanks to everyone who read and review if you want its okay if you don't. Next chapter up in a couple of whiles.