Chapter Seven
The next two weeks were terrible, even more so than every other year now that Hermione had gone home and I was left for an extra week at school to clean up and pine for her on a daily basis.
Dressed down in a ribbed forest green turtle neck my sister, Maria, had sent over from Brighton for my last birthday, and a pair of black slacks, I suitcase in hand, inspected my private chambers one last time before I'd leave for the summer, making sure I'd leave nothing important behind. Images of Hermione and I together played in my head as my eyes found certain places in my room. A smile came to my lips as I remembered how nice she smelled..
"Severus?"
I spun around to take notice of Headmaster Dumbledore's presence in my doorway. My breath caught in my chest, but I then let it out in relief. "I must insist you don't do that Albus...I wouldn't want to have a heart attack this early on.."
Dumbledore chuckled. "A good spot of fright is good for a young man in thier prime, such as you Severus.." He took his hand from behind his back, an envelope enclosed inside of his palm. "You've got me curious, Severus..."
Upon recognizing the loopy handwriting on the front as Hermione's, I paused, a bit troubled about his observation. "From Hermione Granger, I reck?"
"Yes, I've seen you get at least three in the past week..." He held it out to me and I accepted it. "Why would Miss Granger be writing you?"
"Its nothing, Albus. I offered her..an..apprenticeship." I said, nodding as if to convince him. "We've been planning to mix a few potions this summer and we've..been discussing a place to meet."
"Ah, That's very..thoughtful of you, Severus. I know you don't exactly favor the girl.." He offered me a smile and I felt guilt grow in the pit of my stomach. I didn't like to lie. It reminded me of my past as a death eater when my entire life was a lie. I didn't like thinking about that.
"Yes..well...Thank you for your concern, Albus..I'm off, then." I said, cutting the conversation short before it got any messier. I gave a small wave with the hand I held the letter in, picking my suitcase up with the other. "Have a wonderful summer.." I excused myself and walked out of my chambers and soon after, found myself on the express train, on my way to the Kings Cross station.
Upon my arrival at home, I got a cab to my flat on Oxford street where I let out a breath of relief. It was good to be home, and it would be even better to fall asleep in my own bed. The thought of being alone, without Hermione made it a little less inviting, but it didn't matter. Home was where the heart was anyway.
I stuck my key in the keyhole and turned it, unlocking the door with a smart click. I pushed the door open and looked around. Walking in, I set my case by the door and stuck Hermione's yet unopened letter into my back pocket. I kneeled down on the floor and whistled, and grinned upon hearing the clattering of nails from down the hall.
I grinned as I was tackled to the floor and licked into submission by my great yellow lab, Jake. "Glad to see you too." I said, shoving him off lightly. I sat up and wiped my face with the hem of my sweater, scratching him lightly behind his ears. Jake had been my companion since longer than I could remember, and being that he'd been there for company when I had no one else, I took the liberty of hiring a maid to come by three times a day to take care of him while I was away at school.
I stood and began across the living room to the next room, the kitchen. It was rather plain actually. A pale green color covered the walls, and the cabinets mounted on them were wood paneled, as were the ones closer to the floor. The stove was silver fronted to match the refridgerator, toaster, sink and microwave oven.
I strode to the cabinet on the left wall, Jake following behind me, and pulled it open to find it empty. I pulled every other cabinet door open to find every single one empty. My spirits almost diminished and my stomach growling loudly in annoyance, I pulled open the fridge, then the freezer, both of them only collecting frost on the bare shelves.
I sighed and shut the doors, putting my back to them and sliding down onto the floor. Jake stood beside me, wagging his fail, head cocked to the side. I took his muzzle lightly in my hand and gave half a smile. "I guess its due time for me to go to the Grocery, eh?"
He barked in agreement.
I was a bit disgruntled by the fact I had to leave my house just as soon as I'd came back, but I supposed food was a very important cause to leave. I left my house on foot after locking the door, and began to the grocery a few streets over from mine. It was also a terrible trip simply for the fact that it was always packed with a slew of ignorant muggles, wanting a reason to pick a fight with you.
As I walked, along the sidewalk, I reached into my back pocket and carefully pulled the flap open. I began over it.
Dear Dearest,
Well, I hope this letter finds you well. I don't mean to write you so many times a week, and I wouldn't have written this letter if I'd not found out a certain piece of information after more careful examination of your return address. It seems as if all along, You've lived only-
My attention was averted after knocking into someone. Neither of us were knocked down, but I did drop my letter. "Sorry there mate.." I said, bending down to grab hold of my letter. I looked up and found myself breathless. "Hermione!"
She grinned, beaming. "Yeah, its me. Nothing inappropriate, my parents are right over across the street.."
"What...Why.." I stopped and gathered myself, my mind in every direction. "What are you doing here?"
"I live down on Bond street, didn't you read the letter?" She asked.
"I was reading it, until you slammed into me so rudely." I remarked, folding the letter up and tucking it back in the envelope. "Bond streets right off of Oxford, isn't it?
"Yes, yes it is. I suppose we'll see each other this summer more than either of us expected."
We both laughed simultaneously.
"This is..wonderful." I stated, not yet able to absorb what she had just told me. "Its odd we've never knocked into each other before.."
"Mmhm.." She fixed the neck of my turtle neck, sighing. "Am I going to have to fix your clothes for you forever?"
"No, I doubt it..I was only off to the grocery..Not like I was expecting to meet anyone who would care that much about the neck of my sweater.." I replied. "I would never try to impress anyone but you.."
"Only me?" She asked, smiling.
"Only you." I returned the smile. "Do you think your parents would mind you joining me?" I asked. "To the grocery, and maybe for a bit of tea afterward?"
"I don't think so, I'll introduce you..They can't have anything against my favorite Professor." She grinned up to me.
"Introduce? Parents? I do not think..." The last thing I wanted to do was meet her parents.
"Don't be a baby..." She began across the street, indicating for me to follow. "Just act professional."
"Right...professional.." Why was I so nervous? I followed a few steps behind her. "Sure you don't need me to hold your hand?" I asked sarcastically.
She turned and gave me a don't-even-start kind of look as we met her parents on the walk. "Mum, Dad...This is Professor Snape. Professor, my mum, Grace and my dad, Martin."
Mr. Granger was first to extend his hand to me. "Excellent, excellent.
Hesitantly, I shook it, giving him a nod. "Nice to meet you." I shook Mrs. Granger's as well, then stood as Hermione spoke.
"I was wondering mum, Could I join Professor Snape to the grocery, then go back to his flat afterward for a cup of tea?" She questioned.
"Well..." Mrs. Granger began. She seemed uneasy as to the idea of her young daughter spending time with a grown man. I didn't blame her at all. I was expecting the worst, but then I spoke up.
"I had offered her an apprenticeship earlier in the year, and I would be very appreciative if I could speak with her about it in the privacy of my home." I offered. I really knew how to cover my ass. "If that would be alright with you, that is.."
"Oh, an apprenticeship? Hermione never told us that." Mr. Granger put, looking at Hermione. "Of course, of course.."
Hermione nodded, biting back a hundred watt grin. "See you soon."
I nodded to her parents one last time before beginning once more down the sidewalk, hands in my pockets, but this time, with Hermione by my side, much to my relief. I had missed her being by my side very much.
We walked a bit more down the sidewalk, and after checking over our shoulders a final time to ensure we were completley out of her parents, I smiled to her, swept her into my arms and took her into a kiss right then and there. After we parted, and laced our hands together as we entered the grocery, I furrowed my brow and looked at her, then lifted the hem of her shirt. My boxers. "Those are mine."
She grinned sheepishly. "Would you like them back?" She jerked a thumb over her shoulder to the bathroom. "We could take care of it.."
It took me a moment to grasp what she was inferring, but I realized after a bit, and we both made for the bathrooms.
This summer would be wonderful.