-LOST IN OWL POSTS
CHAPTER 2
Hermione sat at the small Cafe near her flat. It was her favorite place to spend Saturdays afternoons after she was done with her homework and studying, even though she was never done with studying. But she had learned in her third year at Hogwarts that her brain needed some moments of rest or it wouldn't function at all.
Her spare time was usually spent walking around town and at the Cafe. She loved this town, it was so quiet and charming that sometimes, she lost herself in its beautiful medieval architecture and oozing history.
The fact that it was surrounded by mountains, gave her a protective feeling, like nothing would ever hurt her while she was in there. It was irrational, she knew, but she couldn't help her need for isolation.
Hermione had wonderful memories of the years at Hogwarts, but had enough of her share of life threatening adventures. She had gone through changes over the years and her heart was into different things now, making it impossible to maintain a close relationship with her friends.
They still kept contact through letters, but they had grown apart mentally too. It was always pleasant to learn how Harry was doing in his Auror career and Ron as a Quidditch player. She had seen many newspapers praising his performance as keeper.
Overall it was good to know that all the people she loved were doing well and happy with their lives. Well, at least most of them. She had no idea what had happened to Snape... it was true he was never her friend but she cared a great deal for him and it was really sad to learn he wasn't working at Hogwarts anymore.
Ginny who had spent her last year at Hogwarts with a new Potions Professor, was more than happy to have gotten rid of the old bat, as she so thoughtfully put it. The only information everyone had was that he had taken a job somewhere and didn't want to be bothered. So much like him...
Hermione had left the library a while ago with a romance novel in hand, in hopes to relax reading it in her favorite corner table, facing the street. It had been such a trying week. She couldn't remember a time she had ever overslept and almost lost a grade over an essay. This wasn't like herself at all, but she did spend the entire night on it and it was the best she could do on a last minute essay.
At the thought of her Potions Professor, she put the book down in annoyance. How could the man be so insufferable? "Gods, I'm thinking like Snape!" she said shaking her head. A few people looked her way, but she ignored.
The man was imprinted in her mind whether she wanted or not; it was impossible not to compare both Professors when the difference was so absurdly huge.
While Snape always punished her when she decided to talk more than she was allowed, this imbecile punished her because he was threatened by her knowledge. She knew it could sound a little pretentious of her, but they had disagreed on many occasions and every time she had proved him wrong.
It was one of those disagreements that got her landed with an essay due the next day. She had tried her best to make it to the Research Center, in order to gather all the information she needed, but she was too late. The result was tedious hours spent on researching several different books to make it acceptable in the least.
She couldn't believe her hard work had come close to be all in vain if it wasn't for the kind 'friend' who sent her essay just in time. She wanted so much to thank him in person... 'What makes you think it's a He, Hermione?' a voice in her head asked her.
"Maybe I'm reading too many romance novels," she said out loud again, earning a few more curious looks from the other customers.
Whoever 'he' or 'she' was, Hermione was a bit disappointed that it had been a week and the stranger hadn't replied to her letter. She had thanked the person and explained why she had been so careless to lose her essay, but didn't really know why she needed to explain herself; she just felt compelled to.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the waitress offering her fresh coffee. Hermione nodded and the woman poured another cup.
"Obrigado," she thanked in Portuguese.
With a sigh she returned her attention to her book and got lost in the world of "Jane Eyre".
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Severus was taking a quiet walk that afternoon, after browsing through some bookstores when he spotted a quaint little Cafe, hiding behind a small building. He thought it would be a good idea to stop for some coffee. The place was small but had a quality to it that was terribly inviting.
He had only his black pants and white shirt on, so he wouldn't frighten the Muggles away, even though he had no idea what was so scary about his dark billowing robes. But Merlin knows how Muggles can be easily alarmed and it wouldn't be wise to scare the habitants of a small town, especially if he was living in it.
Severus entered the place and sat in a small corner table facing the wall, to be able to read through his new book without distractions. After ordering his coffee, he immersed himself in his reading.
"Um café preto, por favor," a familiar voice with a bit of accent spoke behind him. His head shot up, as heard her pull a chair and felt a breeze blowing his way as she sat down. The smell of peaches and quill ink entered his nostrils. He had smelled that many times while towering over her in Potion Class.
He didn't need to turn to know it was her. Not again! Did she have a knack for going wherever he decided to go?
He kept quiet and didn't dare get up. He knew she would speak to him if she saw him and there was no way he would let that happen! He needed his peace and quiet; that chit would never stop talking once she started. Not to mention what an awkward situation that would be.
Severus had tried to cut the girl's attempt of friendship by not answering her reply to his note. He was a busy man; he had his research work to dedicate his time to, and having a pen-pal wasn't his idea of a useful time. He scowled remembering her letter...
"""" Dear Friend,
Thank you so much for your kindness to go to the trouble of helping me. I don't know what would have been of me, if it wasn't for your thoughtfulness of returning my essay. I am in debt to you and really can't thank you enough.
I admit I was a bit careless this morning, but I had spent most of the night on that essay, depriving myself of much needed sleep. The result was oversleeping and clumsily leaving my book bag open. I rarely leave homework for the last moment but my idiot of a Professor, seems to have mastered out of the same school Gilderoy Lockhart did. (I'm sure you've heard of him and understand my predicament.)
I would love to thank you in person, but you didn't leave your name or address...
Thank you again,
Hermione Granger """"
Why did she try to explain herself to him? She didn't even know who he was!
The girl had a point though. How in the name of Merlin this Professor found his way into teaching was beyond his understanding. This was supposed to be a respectable university and judging by her description and his little questioning through the Village, the man's past was a blank. No one had any idea where he came from or where he studied. But the talk of town was that the earlier Professor, who was one of the best in the business, had mysteriously disappeared. Not soon after, this man was hired.
He would have to inquire about him to his boss at the Center. They may have some information on the Professor's history. 'That is, if I have time! This is not my problem,' he thought.
He tried to continue reading but his attention kept turning back to the girl sitting behind him. He knew she wouldn't notice him there if he kept a low profile, but he couldn't just concentrate anymore. He heard when she put her book down and seemed to squirm in her chair. She was obviously distracted too.
"Gods, I'm thinking like Snape!" He heard her say to no one in particular.
'What does she mean by that?' he thought. 'Does she still think of me?'
Well, he could care less if she did! He never gave her any hopes... 'Why was she thinking like him?'
He had an enormous urge to stand up and ask her himself but he thought better of it. Maybe he could reply her letter and find out if she still has feelings... 'No! What do I care?'
His mind was in turmoil when he heard her again.
"Maybe I'm reading too many romance novels."
Romance novels? He never thought Granger was the romantic sort. 'Why is the chit speaking to herself anyway? She must be studying too hard,' he though with a smirk. Knowing her, he was sure she would go to extremes when it came to studying.
After a while, neither of them seemed to be able to concentrate in their reading and Severus was relieved when she stood up and left the Cafe, enabling him to leave as well, taking care to not be seen.
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It was with great surprise that Phillip Allen greeted Severus that evening. He was a tall blond wizard with greying hair at the temples, and a warm smile. Severus had seen many women approach Phillip in the Village and usually heard them refer to him as the handsome appropriate type--which in other words meant 'The marriage type'-- for he was rich, single and had an acceptable appearance.
That was enough trouble for one man as far as Severus was concerned. He was glad looks wasn't his best feature and he wouldn't have the annoyance of women coming his way.
Severus had met the man only days before starting his work at the Center. Phillip was more than happy to have him as a member of the staff and was really glad when Severus accepted the invitation to work with them. Even though he couldn't call the man his friend, they had enjoyed many conversations at the Center and considering Severus' personality, this said a lot. Not many people warmed up to him to maintain more than brief exchange of words.
"Severus! What a nice surprise. Come in," Phillip said gesturing for him to enter.
Phillip's house was almost like his own house back in Scotland: ancient and dark, having been in the Allen family for centuries. Phillip took him to a round room with a comfortable couch facing the fireplace. The walls were draped in red curtains and
the Gryffindor Crest was displayed in a framed canvas to the left of the fireplace. Severus arched an eyebrow. 'Another Gryffindor!'
"As you can see, I went to Hogwarts, as did my entire family. All Gryffindors I'm afraid," he said thoughtfully.
"I see; I haven't heard the name Allen mentioned before..." Severus took a seat.
"Well, I was the last of my family and never got married, that's why you haven't seen any Allens in your time there. You probably entered Hogwarts after I left," Phillip said waving tea magically in the coffee table in front of them.
"Interesting, I'm sure Albus remembers you," Severus said accepting a cup of tea.
"He sure does, he was the Transfigurations teacher back then, great man Dumbledore!" Phillip smiled. "But what brings you here? I hope you're not having second thoughts about the job..."
"No, not at all, I thoroughly enjoy working in this research. My reason for this visit is due to a friend's interest actually," Severus replied.
"Oh."
"I believe you are acquainted with most of the staff at the local University?"
"I know quite a few personally but the newer Professors, I only know them by name." Phillip frowned as he tried to remember.
"What about the Potions Professor? I'm sure he must have some kind of relationship with the Research Center; I heard many students use the Center archives for their essays." Severus paused to drink some of his tea.
"Ah... yes, he has sent many students there for projects, although I haven't met him in person." He looked at Severus curiously. "Why the interest in him?"
"What do you know of his background, his history?"
"I heard comments that he has a different approach in the way he teaches..."
"Be honest, Phillip, do you think he lacks proper skills to teach?" Severus wanted to go straight to the point, he didn't believe in euphemisms just to be polite.
"I can't assure you that, for I have never talked to him before, but yes, from what I learned from some students, he seems to be quite unskilled and dare I say... a little confused about basic knowledge that should be familiar to first years at school," the older man admitted.
"I see." Severus was puzzled about this; there was no explanation for this individual to be a Professor.
"I believe the best person to provide you this information is the Headmaster at the University. Maybe you should pay him a visit, but I have to admit that it does sound unusual for someone to get the title of Potions Master and be anything but brilliant in it," Phillip added.
"Indeed."
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Hermione sat at the window sill of her flat, admiring the night sky.
She chuckled as she watched Crookshanks leave for his evening explorations, after eating most of her dinner. She wasn't very hungry and Crooks appreciated it more than she did. The orange cat jumped from one roof to the other until it disappeared in the shadows.
It had been quite a productive day and she had a wonderful time, but for some reason she wasn't as content as she wanted herself to believe. Books, peace and quiet were always her idea of a good time, but not tonight; tonight she felt a horrid emptiness within, like all those things weren't enough anymore... but were they ever?
What if her hunger for knowledge and occupying her head with nothing but studying was a way to keep from feeling lonely? Even so, she had been content with her life lately, it wasn't perfect but it was what she wanted. So, what had changed?
Hermione knew the answer to that question as usual, but it wasn't one she wanted to answer. It would trigger so many things she had been pushing to the back of her mind, things she wanted forgotten.
"Face it Hermione, no one wants anything to do with you!" she said, feeling her tears welling up.
She had been like that since that stranger never replied her letter. It was so familiar and yet so outrageous to think that no one wants further involvement with her. She didn't know who this person was, if it was a woman or a man and it didn't really matter. The point was that it served as a reminder of how it hurt to not have had any word, not a single note from Snape.
Oh, she kept telling herself she knew he wasn't going to care; she knew it wasn't meant to be, but the truth was that she wasn't this strong. She was human! She had resented that more than she could admit. She opened herself to the man and he didn't even have the grace to reject her with a reply. It was worse, he ignored her, he didn't even acknowledged her existence!
Why was she being such a fool and crying over someone who obviously would never care about her? She didn't even know him, she knew her skilled Potions Professor, the dark hero, the mysterious Head of Slytherin, but who was he really?
She really was a fool, because there was nothing she would love more than finding out who that brilliant man was. And given the chance, she would hold no grudges against anything he may have done to hurt her in the past; given the chance, she would blindly run to his arms, not knowing what she would find, but hungry for the knowledge of Him.
Hermione wiped a tear that was tickling the tip of her nose and stepped down to go to bed. She wasn't going to feel sorry for herself all night!
As she lifted the covers, an owl flew inside the room through her open window. It missed her by inches, landing beside her on the bed.
"Hello there." Hermione gently untied the letter from the Owl's leg and before she could stand up to get the owl a treat, it flew out the window.
She studied the letter, already crossing out Harry for the owl wasn't Hedwig. Her parents were glad she was living in a Muggle town and could use regular mail and Ron usually used Pig.
She closed her eyes anticipating. 'Could it be...' she thought.
She felt a flutter of butterflies in her stomach and quickly opened the envelope. Recognizing the writing as the one in the note the stranger sent her, she smiled and started to read it avidly.
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A/N: Ok so I didn't feel good about this chapter it just didn't come out as I had in mind. I hope you guys can tell me what went wrong LOL Oh well, I'll try to work on the next one ;-) Thank you Shauna for beta-reading don't know what I would do without your help.
Thanks to Parody-of-an-Angel, Minerva7, Ophelia-Dumbledore, strega-in-progress, sweety-tweety013, Grand-illusion, Intelligent Witch and harry-fanfic-reader for the kind reviews.